Marcelino Nunez scored twice – including a superb effort from 45 yards – as Premier League Ipswich Town moved into the third round of the Carabao Cup with victory over League One side Leicester City.

The highlight of the match occurred in the first minute of second-half injury time at Portman Road. Nunez, positioned in the centre circle just inside the Foxes’ half, spotted away goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk off his line and launched a stunning shot that struck the underside of the crossbar before crossing the goal line.

This remarkable goal helped Ipswich secure a hard-fought win, despite Leicester dominating much of the game.

Leicester, currently ranked 18th in League One, came out strong, with Tom Watson nearly scoring after Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton made a costly error. However, Walton redeemed himself with an impressive save to deny Christian McFarlane, keeping the score at 0-0.

The hosts believed they had taken the lead when Kasey McAteer finished off a rebound following a parry of Dara O’Shea’s header by Stolarczyk, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

In a dangerous free-kick position, Conor Chaplin, who previously played for Ipswich before leaving on a free transfer this summer, aimed for a goal, but his effort struck the wall.

This missed opportunity proved crucial as the hosts broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. Chuba Akpom skillfully held up the ball and provided a pass to Jack Clarke. Clarke’s cross found an unmarked Sindre Walle Egeli, who calmly finished to give Ipswich the lead.

Leicester quickly responded, equalizing just five minutes later. Nineteen-year-old Olabade Aluko applied the final touch from close range after Bobby De Cordova-Reid headed the ball toward goal.

However, Ipswich regained the lead in the 71st minute when Nunez struck from outside the box, following more solid work from Akpom.

Although Will Alves curved a shot wide for the visitors, Nunez later sealed the outcome with his spectacular second goal, allowing Ipswich to secure their spot in the third-round draw scheduled for Wednesday.

English League Cup

Ipswich Town 3 – 1 Leicester City FT

Marcelino Nunez scored twice – including a superb effort from 45 yards – as Premier League Ipswich Town moved into the third round of the Carabao Cup with victory over League One side Leicester City.

Advertisement

The goal of the night came in the first minute of second-half injury time at Portman Road when Nunez, in the centre circle just inside the Foxes half, saw away goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk off his line and fired a shot, which went in off the underside of the crossbar.

That goal sealed a hard-earned win for Ipswich after Leicester had been the better team for large parts of the match.

Leicester, 18th in League One, started well with Tom Watson shooting wide following a mistake from goalkeeper Christian Walton, who had given the ball away cheaply. However, Walton made up for that error with a fine save to deny Christian McFarlane to keep it goalless.

The hosts thought they had taken the lead when Kasey McAteer converted the rebound after Stolarczyk had parried Dara O’Shea’s header, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Advertisement

Conor Chaplin had spent five years with Ipswich before leaving on a free transfer in the summer and he had a chance to put Leicester ahead, but could only hit the wall with a free-kick in a dangerous position.

That miss proved costly as the hosts took a 62nd-minute lead. Chuba Akpom did well to hold up the ball and release Jack Clarke and his cross from the left flank found an unmarked Sindre Walle Egeli, with the Norwegian providing a composed finish for the opening goal.

Leicester equalised five minutes later as 19-year-old Olabade Aluko got the final touch from close range following Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s goalbound header.

However, Ipswich restored their advantage in the 71st minute thanks to Nunez’s strike from outside the penalty area after more good work from Akpom.

Will Alves curled an effort wide for the visitors, before Nunez’s stunning second sealed the result with Ipswich booking their place in Wednesday’s third-round draw.