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Wes Morgan: 'I can't quite believe it' as Leicester reach UCL quarterfinals

Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton were struggling to comprehend Leicester City progressing into the Champions League quarterfinals after their goals helped the Foxes continue their incredible European adventure.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg of the round-of-16 encounter, the defending Premier League champions tipped the momentum in their favour when captain Morgan somewhat fortuitously turned in Riyad Mahrez's 27th-minute cross.

There was nothing fortunate about Albrighton's 55th-minute goal, though, with the midfielder firing low past Sergio Rico, and Samir Nasri's dismissal with a quarter of an hour remaining seemed to end Sevilla's challenge.

But there was still time for late drama as Kasper Schmeichel was adjudged to have fouled Machin Vitolo in the area -- but the Leicester custodian atoned for his error by guessing right and saving Steven Nzonzi's penalty. That sealed a 2-0 win on the night and a famous 3-2 victory on aggregate over the reigning Europa League champions at a rocking King Power Stadium.

"Incredible, I can't quite believe it. We're newcomers in the Champions League, we didn't expect to get this far and here we are," Morgan said on BT Sport.

"I'm not sure this is ever going to happen again, but we did it. We did it and we proved a lot of people wrong. It was a big game for us and a big night for everyone involved with Leicester and we've pulled off the impossible again."

Albrighton added: "I'm a bit lost for words. What a night! I think we thoroughly deserved the victory. We pressed them from the first whistle to the last and rode our luck at times, defended triumphantly and to get the two goals against such a good team and keep a clean sheet is fantastic for us."

Morgan admitted he did not know too much about his goal, saying: "I didn't see the ball come in, I just bundled it in. But I was in the right place at the right time, I suppose, and I'm just happy it went over the line."

Leicester join European heavyweights Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid as the confirmed sides in the last eight.

A glamour tie is guaranteed but Morgan said: "We'll just take whoever comes. We'll enjoy the moment. It's [a] fantastic night for Leicester. Let's dust ourselves down. We've still got to concentrate on the league. But we need to enjoy right now."

Schmeichel's penalty save was his second of the tie, after stopping Joaquin Correa's equally weak effort in the first leg.

"It's one of those things," the goalkeeper said. "I think it was three years since I last saved [a penalty] and it's two in two games now! It's about confidence. We've gone out and played more like we did last season and we're reaping the rewards. Tonight was a fantastic night. It was just incredible."

Craig Shakespeare, overseeing his first game in full-time charge of Leicester, was delighted with how his side implemented an attacking game-plan designed to unsettle Sevilla.

He said: "The idea was to make it as uncomfortable as we could for Sevilla in the first 15 minutes and play on the front foot.

"I thought we set the game plan out tremendously and, of course, goals change games. Wes getting the first one put us in the driving seat. I think we drove forward from there.

"Of course, we rode our luck at times. You have to in any football game, but I thought the character the players showed today was immense and there for everyone to see.

"We've just knocked out one of the best teams in Europe in my opinion. Their credentials over the last few years have been there for everyone to see. As a club we can be immensely proud tonight."

Shakespeare, who was noncommittal over who he would prefer to face in the quarterfinals, also paid tribute to the electric atmosphere on show at the King Power Stadium.

Fans were provided with flags to mark the occasion, and Shakespeare said: "Everyone spoke about the Champions League music. It ignites everybody and I thought the crowd were terrific tonight."

Shakespeare has won all three of the matches -- two in caretaker charge -- he has presided over since taking the reins from the sacked Claudio Ranieri.

He is not taking anything for granted, however, adding: "It's only three games. I know somewhere along the line there might be a hiccup but I've got to enjoy tonight."

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