Saul strike ends Leicester's European vacation
Leicester City's UEFA Champions League adventure ended with a spirited 1-1 home draw against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday (AEST).
Atletico Madrid reached a third UEFA Champions League semi-final in four seasons as Leicester City's dream run came to a halt after a 1-1 draw at King Power Stadium.
Having claimed a 1-0 first-leg triumph courtesy a controversial Antoine Griezmann penalty, Diego Simeone's side was typically efficient in Wednesday's (AEST) return leg - Saul Niguez's first-half header rendering Jamie Vardy's goal immaterial.
As shock Premier League champions last season, the Foxes have rarely wilted in the face of improbable odds, but the requirement of another two goals against a side so tactically astute and defensively disciplined proved beyond Craig Shakespeare's men.
Leicester had won all four home games in this season's UEFA Champions League, conceding only once in the process, and it tried gamely to protect that proud record, with a vociferous crowd treated to a spirited showing.
But, having switched off in defence to allow Saul to nod in a crucial away goal after 26 minutes, Vardy's close-range finish proved its only tangible reward for a resilient second-half performance that merited at least a win on the night.
That Vardy strike did at least give the home side an opportunity to apply some pressure in the remaining half an hour, and it certainly did that, but Simeone's well-drilled charges once again proved well equipped to cope with being on the back foot, keeping their bid for Europe's top prize alive and kicking.
Leicester, meanwhile, will go back to a Premier League campaign that looks certain to end in safety and can reflect on a remarkable journey on the day that marked eight years since it was crowned champion of the third tier of English football.