Sevilla realised a "dream'' in qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League, according to manager Jorge Sampaoli.
The Spanish side, winners of the Europa League for the past three seasons, held Lyon to a goalless draw to ensure they qualified from Group H in second spot behind Juventus.
Sampaoli said on the club website: "The team had been prepared to reach this stage and qualify among the best in this continent.
"Having played in this way enhances us and we could even have won. To put Sevilla into the next phase of the Champions League is a dream and when it is concrete it is necessary to give it the value it has and deserves.
"Now we are going to the next goal, to see who we are drawn against and to prepare us to the maximum for that tie.''
Sampaoli was forced to watch from the stands following his dismissal in last month's defeat by Juventus.
The Argentinian vowed there will be no repeat, saying: "I have experienced an unusual situation in the stand, I had not had it before.
"I have to correct those mistakes because I cannot help the team from that position. At least the team gave me the peace of not having so much suffering.''
Lyon needed to win by two clear goals to overtake their opponents but instead had to settle for a place in the Europa League.
The French side had the better of the chances and twice hit the woodwork through Corentin Tolisso and Mathieu Valbuena.
Manager Bruno Genesio told reporters: "We're disappointed. In this competition we competed with Juve and Sevilla but we lacked efficiency and sometimes success.''
Tolisso added: "There are a lot of regrets. We played a very good first half where I think we would have deserved to score.''