Leicester vs. FC Copenhagen: Score, Reaction from 2016 Champions League Match

Leicester City maintained their perfect start to a debut season in the UEFA Champions League by beating FC Copenhagen 1-0 at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night. Riyad Mahrez scored in the first half to make it three wins from three for the Foxes in Group G.

Mahrez took a chance created by fellow Algeria international Islam Slimani. Both players were rested by Claudio Ranieri for the weekend's 3-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea, but the manager picked his strongest side to ensure another memorable European night.

The win means Leicester are now five points ahead of third place with only three group matches left to play, making the Foxes a solid bet to qualify for the last 16.

Nine points from nine to start has made Leicester unique among English teams in this tournament, according to Squawka:

James Sharpe of the Leicester Mercury revealed both teams before kick-off:

Ranieri had fielded a stronger side, but the Foxes found themselves frustrated for much of the first half. They couldn't be anything else against a tough and resourceful Copenhagen outfit.

The visitors stayed compact and forced Leicester into a one-dimensional mode of attack, according to Sharpe:

It was an aerial approach Sharpe's fellow Mercury writer Rob Tanner felt suited the combative visitors:

Yet for all the criticism of the aerial bombardment, Leicester's goal arrived from familiar means. A ball into the channel found lightning-fast workhorse striker Jamie Vardy, and his cross was headed back across goal by target man Slimani for Mahrez to deftly prod home.

Some snaps from the tournament's official site showed off the suave finish:

The goal continued Mahrez's run as Leicester's main man in Europe's premier club competition, a role detailed by these numbers from OptaJoe:

However, Copenhagen entered the game boasting their own mettle in the air. It should have brought the Danish side an equaliser on the stroke of halftime, but ex-Cardiff City striker Andreas Cornelius put over when he should have found the net without too much fuss.

The reprieve gave Leicester a lead to protect, something the Premier League champions did superbly last season. City proved just as resolute early in the second half, winning most of the aerial duels and restricting space in the middle.

The Foxes thought they had doubled their lead when Slimani got the last touch amid a scramble in the box, but the big man was judged to be offside. Much to the fury of the King Power crowd, the judgement appeared to be incorrect.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Buoyed by their lucky escape, Copenhagen did most of the pressing during the final 25 minutes. They pressed high and frequently loaded the box. However, the Danes were routinely let down by poor delivery from wide areas.

Seeking a more proactive way of maintaining the lead, Ranieri introduced Japanese attacker Shinji Okazaki off the bench. His tireless running in forward areas was intended to press Copenhagen high up the pitch and apply pressure in possession.

Despite Okazaki's presence, Leicester still needed goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to produce a phenomenal save, diving low to deny Cornelius seconds before stoppage time.

The Danish 'keeper's heroic preserved Leicester's run of not conceding a single goal in the Champions League so far. It's just one more special note from their perfect first foray into this competition.

Post-Match Reaction

Ranieri was quick to praise Schmeichel's contribution to another Leicester win, per the club's official site:

Referencing what a third win means for his team's chances of progressing from the group, Ranieri spelled out his targets in Europe:

Ranieri is making the most of Leicester's European adventure. He's made it the priority of their start to the new season, as this statistic from BT Sport Football shows:

It makes sense for the Foxes to use the same formula that caught the Premier League by surprise last season to try to catch Europe's elite clubs off guard.