Leicester City captain Hamza Choudhury scored a stunning goal but could not prevent his side from crashing out of the Carabao Cup, as League One Huddersfield Town twice came from behind before edging a tense penalty shootout.
In the first-round tie at the Aco Stadium on Wednesday night (13 August), the Championship side dominated for long spells but were ultimately undone 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. Huddersfield’s reward is a second-round trip to Premier League side Sunderland.
With several senior players having left Leicester over the summer, the armband was handed to Choudhury, who repaid the responsibility with a brilliant 54th-minute strike. A misplaced clearance in the box fell to the Bangladeshi midfielder, who flicked the ball up before smashing it into the net his second senior goal for the club.
🔝🗑️ from Hamza Choudhury! 😮💨🇧🇩#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/OPY8yWqAfv
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) August 13, 2025
But just 11 minutes later, Choudhury conceded a penalty when he fouled in the area, allowing Daniel Vost to equalise after Jakub Stolarczyk had saved Dion Charles’ initial spot-kick. Harry Winks restored Leicester’s lead in the 68th minute with a curling effort, only for Cameron Ashia to hammer home another equaliser eight minutes later.
The first half had seen Leicester dominate possession but fail to create many clear chances, although there were penalty shouts at both ends, Huddersfield’s strongest claim coming when Ben Nelson appeared to bring down Ruben Roosken.
In the shootout, Terriers goalkeeper Lee Nicholls emerged as the hero, saving from Jordan Ayew and Kasey McAteer, while Bilal El Khannous struck the post. Alfie May, Leo Castledine and Lasse Sørensen all scored for the hosts to seal the win.
It was a bitter blow for Leicester, relegated from the Premier League last season and well-resourced for a promotion push, but the defeat came against a Huddersfield side enjoying a strong start to the campaign under Lee Grant, who took charge in May. The Terriers are now unbeaten in three matches in all competitions.