Marcelino Nunez delivered a truly unforgettable moment in the Carabao Cup when he struck a spectacular goal from the halfway line, sealing a 3-1 triumph for Ipswich Town over Leicester City. The match, which had previously been a Premier League encounter just fifteen months earlier, saw Leicester arrive at Portman Road still reeling from a demoralising defeat to Burton Albion in League One.
Their manager, Russell Martin, was already under intense scrutiny, and the Foxes managed to keep the first half scoreless, barely testing the hosts. The deadlock was finally broken in the 62nd minute when Sindre Walle Egeli, a loanee from Gary O'Neil’s side, demonstrated top‑flight quality with a composed left‑footed finish that slipped past the Leicester goalkeeper.
The goal gave Ipswich a deserved lead, but the joy was short‑lived. Just five minutes later, a 19‑year‑old Leicester substitute, Olabade Aluko, capitalised on a flicked corner from Bobby De Cordova‑Reid and nudged the ball home, restoring parity and setting the stage for a dramatic finish. It was Nunez, a former Norwich midfielder turned Ipswich forward, who ultimately decided the outcome. After a first‑half effort that rattled the post, he found the net again in the 71st minute, marking his inaugural goal at Portman Road since joining the club last summer.
The Chilean striker then produced a moment of pure brilliance in stoppage time: spotting the opposition goalkeeper, Jakub Stolarczyk, stranded off his line, Nunez launched a perfectly weighted 50‑yard lob that sailed over the keeper and into the net. This extraordinary strike not only secured the victory but also propelled Ipswich into the third round of the Carabao Cup for only the second time in the past eleven seasons. Leicester’s early frustrations were evident.
Martin, still smarting from the Burton loss, watched his side almost concede within the first half‑minute, only for Chuba Akpom to miss a golden opportunity. The Foxes soon steadied themselves, with Brighton loanee Tom Watson forcing a wide shot before testing Ipswich’s first‑choice keeper, Christian Walton, with a curling effort that was comfortably saved.
Meanwhile, Ipswich’s backup goalkeeper also made a crucial intervention, denying Christian McFarlane’s attempted chip after a well‑timed pass from Louis Page. The second half opened with Ipswich midfielder Kasey McAteer seeing a goal ruled out for off‑side just two minutes after the restart. Shortly thereafter, Leicester’s Conor Chaplin was substituted, receiving a standing ovation from the home crowd on the hour mark. The substitution did not alter the momentum, as Ipswich continued to press.
Akpom’s incisive pass found Jack Clarke, who squared the ball to Egeli, allowing the Norwegian to double the lead with a composed finish. Leicester’s response came quickly. A corner delivered by Page was flicked on by De Cordova‑Reid, and Aluko, still only nineteen, managed a faint touch that sent the ball into the net, earning him his first professional goal and leveling the score at 2‑2.
The match appeared poised for a possible extra‑time scenario until Nunez stepped up once more. After a loose ball from Woyo Coulibaly, Nunez capitalised, firing a shot that struck the post before finding the back of the net, restoring Ipswich’s lead. Later, with the game winding down, the Chilean international displayed his vision and technical skill. Spotting Stolarczyk off his line after the ball dropped into the centre circle, Nunez lofted a perfect lob that floated over the goalkeeper and settled in the net, sealing a 3‑1 victory and ensuring Ipswich’s progress in the competition.
Post‑match, Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil praised Nunez’s impact: “I didn’t think it was the best decision, to be honest. Neither was Chuba or Sindre, but as long as you can put it in the net, no one can argue. The last two performances from Marcelino have been excellent – two great goals, unbelievable energy, and a humility that’s rare.
He’s a kid who works tirelessly, and we need that kind of drive in the squad. It’s a big push ahead of Sunday’s game at Manchester United.” Leicester’s boss Russell Martin reflected on his side’s effort despite the loss: “The players were amazing, and I loved the performance. We were unlucky to lose 3‑1, but after Saturday we talked a lot about bravery, aggression, and intensity. With and without the ball, they showed so much.
The only thing missing is the win, but if we play like that it’s exciting. The fans were fantastic, and I hope they felt the energy after the match.” The game also featured several notable moments beyond the goals.
Ipswich’s backup goalkeeper made a crucial save against McFarlane, while Leicester’s Tom Watson, on loan from Brighton, tested Walton with a curling shot that was comfortably parried. Additionally, the match saw a rare early chance for Leicester, as they nearly scored inside 33 seconds, only for Akpom to miss the opportunity. Overall, the encounter was a showcase of individual brilliance, tactical adjustments, and dramatic swings in momentum.
Nunez’s half‑field lob will be remembered as one of the standout goals of the Carabao Cup season, and his performance, alongside the contributions from Egeli, Akpom, and Aluko, ensured Ipswich’s place in the next round. The victory also provided a morale boost for a team that had struggled in the league, while Leicester will look to regroup and address the defensive lapses that allowed such spectacular goals.
As the competition progresses, both clubs will aim to build on the lessons learned. Ipswich will hope to replicate the attacking flair and resilience shown against a strong Leicester side, while the Foxes will seek to tighten their defensive organization and convert the intensity displayed into more favorable results in future fixtures. The Carabao Cup continues to deliver unforgettable moments, and Nunez’s halfway strike will undoubtedly be replayed countless times in highlights packages and fan discussions for weeks to come.