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Leicester books historic quarter-final spot by dumping uninspired Sevilla

Reuters / Darren Staples Livepic

Kasper Schmeichel pulled off a dramatic late penalty save as Leicester City sank Sevilla 2-0 on Tuesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, after which Claudio Ranieri was sacked as manager, Leicester scored through Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton before Schmeichel repelled Steven N'Zonzi's spot-kick.

It gave the Foxes a 3-2 aggregate win and continued a remarkable turnaround under new manager Craig Shakespeare, who has won three games in a row since stepping up from his role as Ranieri's assistant.

Related - Watch: Schmeichel thwarts late Sevilla penalty, sends Leicester through

Unrecognisable in the defence of its miraculous Premier League title, Leicester has found solace in the Champions League and has now won all four of its home matches in the competition.

The Foxes also chose a good time to rediscover a bit of defensive solidity - and good fortune - having previously gone 12 matches without keeping a clean sheet in all competitions.

Sevilla, winner of the last three Europa Leagues, saw Samir Nasri sent off late on after he was shown an extraordinary second yellow card for aiming a headbutt at Jamie Vardy.

A carpet of blue and white flags greeted the teams, while Leicester's fans unveiled a giant banner of Shakespeare, accompanied by the rousing William Shakespeare quote, "Let slip the dogs of war."

Related - Watch: Captain Morgan fires Leicester ahead vs. Sevilla

For all the sound and fury generated by the home support, it was Sevilla who procured the first two sights of goal.

Nasri, one of eight changes made by Jorge Sampaoli, was denied by a one-handed save from Schmeichel in the fourth minute, while Pablo Sarabia dragged wide with his left foot.

But in the 27th minute Leicester took control of the tie, Riyad Mahrez swinging a free-kick into the box after Vicente Iborra had felled Vardy and Morgan bundling home with his right knee.

The King Power Stadium erupted with a noise that recalled the triumphs of last year and short of a mishit Gabriel Mercado cross that Schmeichel had to palm over, Leicester reached the break without alarm.

Barely a minute later Leicester took the lead in the tie outright.

Related - Watch: Albrighton shocks Sevilla to hand Leicester 2-goal advantage

Mahrez's cross from the right was tamely headed away by Adil Rami, allowing Albrighton to chest the ball down and arrow a left-foot drive past a statuesque Sergio Rico.

Nasri's moment of madness arrived shortly after Schmeichel had parried from substitute Joaquin Correa.

With play ongoing, the Frenchman, taking exception to a push from Vardy, squared up to the England striker and lowered his head, prompting a second yellow card from referee Daniele Orsato.

Orsato was not prepared to abandon centre-stage and after awarding Sevilla's penalty, he compounded the visitors' frustrations by sending the protesting Sampaoli to the stands.

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