
The R’s managed to stay in the game after Rayan Kolli cut the deficit to one goal just before halftime, but Cifuentes’ hopes of an upset were dashed by two goals from the Foxes within 15 minutes of the restart, and Wout Faes’ long-range effort in the 93rd minute sealed QPR’s doom.
The Premier League team appeared to be in control after taking a 3-1 lead in the first half.
“I am really irritated. We didn’t get off to a great start, but we played excellent football later in the first half, created opportunities, and I enjoyed watching the players,” Cifuentes said on the club website.
“I believed we could seriously push Leicester until they scored the two early goals.
At halftime, we discussed that Rayan’s goal gave us a chance and that our goal was to defeat them in the second half.
That is why I am frustrated because individual mistakes really hurt us and we played against a Premier League side so we know when you give them a chance they will not give you another opportunity.”
Jonathan Varane put QPR back on level terms in the 18th minute after James Justin’s early opener, before Kolli responded to Leicester’s double salvo courtesy of Stephy Mavididi and Facundo Buonanotte scoring inside three minutes of each other
Six minutes after halftime, Leicester scored their fourth goal with a penalty kick from Jamie Vardy after Harrison Ashby was deemed to have touched the ball in the box, a decision that Cifuentes felt was unfair.
“A player who goes down to make a tackle cannot avoid extending his arms; that is just the way it is,” he remarked, although he had not seen the replays.

After they scored the fourth goal, things got really tough. It is difficult mentally because you think you are playing well and challenging them, and then all of a sudden you are behind 4-2 or 5-2.
Leicester were without a win in six games prior to the match, but in-form QPR could not take advantage as a second from Justin and Faes’ stunner completed the rout.
Despite the disappointing scoreline, which means the R’s still have not enjoyed progression past the third round of the competition since 2022, Cifuentes was able to draw positives from the experience.
“You know that if you concede a chance, the opposition has this quality. That is very difficult but it is the reality if you want one day to play at this level,” he explained.
“This is something we can take with us as well, in this growth we are having as a team.
“We must come back stronger from this. We learn from what happened.
“This team has been showing over the last 14 or 15 months that it is a strong team in terms of mentality. Our mentality and togetherness will not be affected because of this result.”