LEICESTER City’s fairytale run to last season’s Premier League title has long since been ripped up and recycled through the harsh realities of a tough relegation fight in the follow-up campaign. Miracle manager Claudio Ranieri was fired and replaced by his assistant, Craig Shakespeare.

    But in Europe, Leicester managed to prolong its first season of Champions League competition Tuesday with a 2-0 home win over 10-man Sevilla, surviving a late penalty that would have sent the thing to extra time – the second saved Sevilla penalty of the series. The Foxes won 3-2 on aggregate, after losing the first game 2-1 in Spain.

    That Leicester should survive a knockout round against Sevilla, of all teams, is particularly noteworthy. The Spaniards won the last three Europa League editions, giving them almost unmatched experience in surviving home-and-away knockout ties just like these. Leicester, of course, had no such experience at all.

    Shakespeare’s rejuvenated side pressed well and moved collectively, though, claiming most of the possession and shots in the first half. If Sevilla had more of the ball in the second act, however, it would hamstring itself with Samir Nasri’s sending-off for two stupid fouls — a needless hack on Wilfred Ndidi and a headbutt on Jamie Vardy. That made it hard to get the goal it needed to recover from Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton’s goals.

    Sevilla had the first chance when Pablo Sarabia got a threatening shot off in the 21st minute. But six minutes later, Riyad Mahrez swung a free kick to the far post, where Morgan got a knee onto it and bundled the ball into the net. The goal apparently made him the first Jamaican to score in the Champions League, for what that’s worth.

    Sevilla began its pursuit of the goal it needed to advance in earnest after the break. A shanked cross from Gabriel Mercado almost fooled goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but the Dane knocked it over. Then, Sergio Escudero attempted a shot from a long way out, but it swerved onto the underside of the bar. Wissam Ben Yedder then airmailed the rebound.

    Leicester would get the next goal, however. In the 54th minute, Mahrez’s cross was cleared right into Albrighton. He coolly chested it down, took a touch and hit it past Sergio Rico from inside the box.

    Wedged around two fat chances for Vardy to put the game away, neither of which he could get on target, Sevilla had a penalty to force extra time. In the 79th minute, Schmeichel, whose heroics had kept Leicester in this contest in the first leg, clattered through Vitolo as he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper in the box. Vitolo’s finish was cleared off the line, but referee Daniele Orsato pointed to the spot and rightly so.

    Schmeichel, for the second time in two games with Sevilla, saved the penalty.

    (SD-Agencies)