Mahrez scores a brace as Leicester defeat Brugge in their debut CL campaign

UEFA Champions League 2016-17

Mahrez scores a brace as Leicester defeat Brugge in their debut CL campaign

Published On: September 15, 2016 02:27 AM NPT By: Associated Press

Leicester's Riyad Mahrez, right, is congratulated by teammate Leicester's Luis Hernandez after scoring on a penalty shot during the Champions League Group G soccer match between Club Brugge and Leicester at the Jan Breydel stadium in Brugge, Belgium on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

BRUGES, Sept 15: Leicester opened its first Champions League campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Belgian champion Club Brugge on Wednesday, with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice.

The unlikely Premier League champion took its charmed form into Europe, with Marc Albrighton scoring an easy goal after just five minutes. The Brugge defense misjudged a long throw-in and the winger only had to steer the ball into an empty net.

A bad pass forced veteran Timmy Simons to bring Jamie Vardy down near the penalty box in the 28th minute and Mahrez curled the free kick home to make the rest of the match an easy stroll for Leicester.

Mahrez scored his second goal from the penalty spot in the 61st minute, after Vardy had been floored by the goalkeeper on a breakaway.