Maddison and Ricardo send Leicester into first European semi-final
Leicester dramatically scored twice in the final 13 minutes to turn around their Europa Conference League quarter-final at PSV Eindhoven to reach the last four via a 2-1 victory.
Despite starting well in Holland, Brendan Rodgers’ side found themselves behind when Youri Tielemans’ mistake was punished by Erhan Zahavi, who finished past Kasper Schmeichel via Jonny Evans’ deflection.
The Foxes spurned some good chances through Harvey Barnes and Patson Daka, but finally found an equaliser on 77 minutes when substitute Ayoze Perez squared for James Maddison to finish high into the net.
And with two minutes left, Ricardo Pereira finished on the rebound after Daka’s shot was saved by PSV goalkeeper Mvogo to send the travelling Foxes fans into raptures – and Rodgers’ squad into the last four where they will play Bodo/Glimt or Jose Mourinho’s Roma, who play later on Thursday.
For most of the Eindhoven evening, Leicester were dominant in possession but lacked composure in their final ball. That was apparent from the off as, while the Foxes had the better of the play, their Dutch hosts did more with it.
Warning signs were made by PSV when Schmeichel had to save from both Mario Gotze and Mauro Jr, though the best chance of the opening 25 minutes fell to the visitors.
Kelechi Iheanacho, who had a relatively quiet night in front of goal, put Barnes completely through but the Leicester No 7 could only fire wide, despite having Maddison free as a square option.
Barnes and Leicester were made to pay for that miss a few minutes later when Tielemans’ backpass from deep went straight to Gotze. The German international fed Zahavi on the right, who smashed past Schmeichel with his effort taking a slight nick off Evans.
The Foxes almost responded straight away, with Maddison’s deflected effort being cleared off the line acrobatically by Jordan Teze, while Timothy Castagne headed wide after Tielemans’ deep cross from the right.
Rodgers shuffled his striker pack at the break with Daka and Ademola Lookman coming on at half-time for Marc Albrighton and Barnes – but it was PSV who had the better of the second period.
Zahavi headed over from a corner from six yards out when he should have done better, but the best chance fell to Ibrahima Sangare, whose one-two with captain Cody Gakpo only resulted in him firing over the bar from a good position.
Suddenly, Leicester – who struggled with their final ball until well into the second period – made their opponents pay for their lack of profligacy. And it was another Rodgers substitute who played a key role in their equaliser.
Ricardo found replacement Ayoze Perez on the right, who ventured into the box on the byline before squaring to Maddison who finished high and defiantly into the roof of the net.
Suddenly, PSV were rocked. Manager Rodger Schmidt threw attacking players on himself, including former Spurs striker Carlos Vinicius, but Leicester had their tails up.
PSV goalkeeper Mvogo saved well from Perez in the final ten minutes of the game – but the Foxes finally got their moment.
The excellent Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall found Lookman in the box with a beautiful pass around the corner, the winger found Daka whose shot was saved by Mvogo – but Ricardo was there to finish on the rebound.
The hosts had little time to react to the quick-fire double, with the likes of Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans standing firm in the final few minutes to earn the Foxes their first ever European semi-final appearance.
What’s next for Leicester and PSV?
Leicester are back in Premier League action as they head to Newcastle on Sunday, kick-off at 2.15pm. Brendan Rodgers’ side will be hoping to continue their three-game unbeaten run at St James’ Park, before a midweek trip to relegation-threatened Everton on Wednesday, kick-off 7.45pm.
PSV have a huge game on Sunday against Eredevise title rivals Ajax, managed by prospective Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, as they go head-to-head in the KNVB Cup final; kick-off at 5pm. With just five games left of the league season, PSV trail Ten Hag’s Ajax by only four points.