Iheanacho extends incredible run as Foxes fall to Blackburn

Kelechi Iheanacho continued his impressive goalscoring run in the FA Cup as his Leicester City side fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round of the competition. The Super Eagles star scored his 18th career goal in the FA Cup, extending his record as the current most prolific player in the competition.

Despite emerging as the match winner for the Foxes in the previous rounds against Gillingham and Walsall, Iheanacho was left among the substitutes for the visit of Championship outfit Blackburn. Experienced striker and club legend Jamie Vardy was preferred up top for the Foxes.

Currently sitting in one of the playoff places in the Championship, Blackburn Rovers were out to secure an upset, and they took the lead just after the half-hour mark. Leicester defender Daniel Amartey lost the ball after playing a sloppy pass, allowing Tyrhys Dolan to pick up the ball. The winger drove inside before curling a delightful effort from outside the box with his right foot.

The Championship side doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute through midfielder Sammie Szmodics. The midfielder wriggled past a number of challenges in the box before poking home his effort from close range.

Iheanacho was sent on in place of midfielder Dennis Praet after 58 minutes, and the forward scored his third goal in as many appearances in the FA Cup only ten minutes later. The former Manchester City man got on the end of a square pass in the box from Harvey Barnes following a counter before finishing from close range.

Blackburn held on despite pressure from the 2021 winners of the competition, keeping the Premier League side at bay. The Championship side held on for a famous cup upset as they booked their place in the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time since 2015.