After being on the receiving end of two quickfire Leicester City goals, the Philips Stadion witnessed home side PSV Eindhoven meltdown in remarkable fashion. PSV’s five-match unbeaten streak has ended and the Foxes bite their way through to meet either Roma or Bodo/Glimt.Let’s not sugar-coat it – the first leg was one to forget. But this second match had the needed energy – Leicester came out alive and dominated the pitch but it was the home side who threatened the visitor’s goal first. Mario Götze’s tried with a stupendous first-time volley directed towards the top corner, followed by Mauro Júnior’s shot that was headed into the bottom right. If it wasn’t for Kasper Schmeichel – PSV would probably be in the final four of the tournament.The goal for the home team eventually came, in the 27th minute, courtesy of Eran Zahavi. Götze sent a ball towards the Israeli striker on the right flank, who in turn struck a wonderful low drive to score the tie’s first goal.Soon after, Leicester had a massive opportunity to equalize. James Maddison’s shot in the PSV box saw the ball heading into an empty net but Jordan Teze was on hand to heroically scissor-kick it away from the goal line.Going into the second period, Brendan Rodgers’ outfit encountered a rather stern home defence after the break. However, it was the Eindhoven side’s attack that proved relentless again, trying to turn the slim lead into a comfortable one. First, it was Joey Veerman who saw his deflected long-range effort touch the left post on its way out while at the hour mark Zahavi sent a header flying over Schmeichel’s crossbar.Leicester were centimeters away from a leveler when Zambian forward Patson Daka received a beautiful through ball from Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho, only to see the final shot zoom past the left post of Swiss goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo’s goal.𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘, 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄! 🦊 📖City are into a European semi-final in the #UECL after a stunning comeback to win in Eindhoven!#PsvLei pic.twitter.com/upsFEdJ9NM— Leicester City (@LCFC) April 14, 2022 PSV could have doubled their lead in the final quarter-hour – Ibrahim Sangaré’s missed effort high over the crossbar disappointed the home crowd at Phillips Stadion. But the disappointment only grew as the Dutch side were punished for their missed chances.In the 77th minute, thanks to Leicester’s most threatening forward of the evening – Maddison – the hosts scored. The Englishman thumped the ball from close-range past a helpless Mvogo to tie the score. It did not bode well with PSV who were shaken and the Foxes knew how to make the most of it. Leicester took full advantage of their opponent’s shortcomings and got their winning goal two minutes before full time. Ricardo Pereira caught a rebound from close range like a real poacher-striker to send the Foxes through.It was the fifth loss in their last 18 home encounters against English opposition for PSV, all ‘thanks’ to their second-half display. On the other end, Leicester City are in their first-ever European semi-final in the club’s history. A Marvelous night for Rogers’ men.EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUEQuarter-final, second legThursdayPSV – Leicester 1-2 (1-0) /first leg 0-0//Zahavi 27 – Maddison 77, Pereira 88/22.00: (3.40) PAOK (3.25) Olympique Marseille (2.35) /first leg 1-2/22.00: (3.00) Slavia Praha (3.50) Feyenoord (2.45) /first leg 3-3/22.00: (1.42) Roma (5.30) Bodo (8.00) /first leg 1-2/***odds are subject to change
