Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice as Leicester thrashed Braga to make it three wins from three in this season’s Europa League.

The two combined again before the break to almost score a second but this time Braga goalkeeper Matheus made a superb diving save to deny Maddison.

But Iheanacho got his and Leicester’s second soon after the restart when his shot from the edge of the area took a heavy deflection to land in the back of the net.

That prompted a dominant spell for the hosts, with Iheanacho going close to completing his hat-trick, but his shot was kept out by Matheus.

A third for Leicester duly arrived with Iheanacho this time turning provider, squaring a pass for substitute Dennis Praet to tap in, and Maddison wrapped up a brilliant win when he forced his way through the defence before finishing.

It was a comfortable night for the Foxes against a Braga side that are experienced European campaigners and had won their six previous games in all competitions.

The victory continued Leicester’s own good form, with five wins from their last five games having propelled them to second in the Premier League, and top of Europa League Group G with nine points from nine.

Iheanacho highlights Foxes impressive squad strength

The Foxes are flying both domestically and in Europe this season and their form is all the more impressive considering they have several first team players out through, or recently returning from, injury.

It is testament to Brendan Rodgers’ managerial ability that despite that he is managing to get the best out of his squad, with the players coming into the side making important contributions.

Iheanacho is one such player. The forward has made just three appearances for Leicester in the Premier League this season but has featured in all three of their Europa League games, scoring in both the games he has started.

There was a touch of fortune about both his goals against Braga, with the ball rebounding to him from a save for the first, allowing him to prod into an empty net, and the second taking a significant deflection.

But it was just reward for an energetic and committed display that exemplified the spirit and determination in this Leicester squad.

Maddison shrugs off England disappointment

Earlier on Thursday, it was confirmed James Maddison had not been included in the England squad, and the midfielder said after the Braga win that he was disappointed not to have made it.

However, that disappointment certainly did not show as he produced an excellent performance against the Portuguese side.

At one point in the first half it looked like he would have to go off after picking up an injury but, determined to carry on, he returned to the fray and soon provided the assist for Leicester’s opener.

It was a superb display and one that showed he is getting back to his best having recently recovered from injury.

“James Maddison was excellent tonight,” Foxes boss Rodgers told BT Sport. “It was good for him to get 90 minutes as well.

“We had to work for the win and in the end we were very good. In the second half we were very dynamic and created a number of chances.”

A first since 1961 for Leicester – the stats

• Leicester City have won three consecutive matches in a European competition for a second time, also doing so in October 2016 in the Champions League.
• Braga suffered their first Europa League group stage defeat in nine matches, with this their first since losing 2-1 to Istanbul Basaksehir in December 2017.
• Leicester scored four goals in a European match for the first time since their first ever match in Europe, when they won 4-1 against Glenavon in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1961.
• Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho has scored in all three of his starts in the Europa League/Champions League, one with Manchester City in the Champions League December 2016 and in both starts for Leicester this season.
• Kelechi Iheanacho has been directly involved in six goals in two Europa League starts (3 goals, 3 assists) for Leicester this season.

What next?

Leicester host Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday, 8 November (14:00 GMT)

• Watch 13 first-round ties on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app this weekend. Find out more here.