Leicester’s Vardy ends goal drought in 1-2 loss at Sevilla

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Sevilla was unable to capitalize on its dominant performance in a 2-1 Champions League win over Leicester on Wednesday as Jamie Vardy scored a crucial goal — his first of the year — to keep the English champions alive in the Round of 16.

Vardy capped a spirited second half for Leicester in the first leg with a 73rd-minute goal in one of the few chances created by the visitors at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in Seville.

Pablo Sarabia and Joaquin Correa scored in each half for Sevilla to leave the Spanish club a draw away from reaching the quarterfinals of the European competition for the first time in nearly 60 years.

“We were far superior, with some 10 clear chances, but we were not able to earn the advantage that we wanted,” Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli said. “We deserved more.”

Only a quarter-hour into the game Correa missed a penalty for the hosts, which are a three-time defending champion in the Europa League but haven’t advanced past the last 16 in the Champions League since 1958.

“We suffered,” Leicester coach Claudio Ranieri said. “In the end we improved a bit and the goal leaves it open for the return match. That was crucial for us. We know they are favorites but we have played some great games at home in what has been a very strange season for us.”

In Wednesday’s other Champions League match, Juventus defeated host FC Porto 2-0 with second-half goals by substitutes Marko Pjaca and Dani Alves.

Sarabia opened the scoring with a firm header into the far corner after a cross by Sergio Escudero from the left side, and Correa made up for his missed penalty by adding to the lead from close range after a pass by Stevan Jovetic in the 62nd.

“They had 22 shots or something like that and we knew today was going to be tough and we’d have to ride our luck a couple of times and I was going to have to come up with some saves here and there but everyone deserves great credit for today,” said Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who easily stopped Correa’s weak penalty shot.

Struggling to stay out of the relegation zone in its Premier League title defense, Leicester scored the important away goal when Vardy got to a low left-side cross by Danny Drinkwater.