Sevilla confirmed their place as Group H runners-up and in the Champions League last 16 after they held out for a goalless draw with Lyon on Wednesday.
Not for the first time in Europe this season, Sevilla lined up without a recognised striker on the pitch, but their choice of formation was dwarfed by the return of Samir Nasri after over a month out.
The Andalusians only needed to avoid defeat to Lyon in order to reach the last 16, albeit second in their pool, so naturally it was Lyon who started with the most urgency, Sergio Rico taking just three minutes to tip over a Mathieu Valbuena shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Yet the visitors came even closer to taking the lead when Vitolo latched onto a through pass from Nasri down the left and came inside to shoot, only for his curling effort to strike Anthony Lopes’ far post.
Sevilla, meanwhile, were finding Rafael’s constant deliveries from the right difficult to defend, one of which resulted in Corentin Tolisso crashing a header off the crossbar.
The first half ended with several more Lyon snapshots and yellow cards for Sevilla, and the latter were once more fortunate to be saved by the woodwork when Valbuena’s first-time curled clipped the bar.
With that, Jorge Sampaoli’s side had seen off the best of Lyon as the second 45 was much a case of Lyon huffing and puffing but ultimately lacking in quality.
Indeed, Sevilla created its best chance through Sergio Escudero, whose low cross towards the back post was just about intercepted by Valbuena, with Gabriel Mercado ready to pounce on the tap-in.
Teenage defender Mouctar Diakhaby, on the other hand, failed to direct a header on target for Lyon as the French side were headed for the Europa League.
Lyon 0-0 Sevilla
Lyon: Lopes; Rafael, Mapou, Diakhaby, Morel; Tolisso (Grenier 78), Gonalons, Darder (Cornet 72); Ghezzal (Fekir 65), Lacazette, Valbuena
Sevilla: Rico; Mercado, Pareja, Rami; Mariano, Escudero, N'Zonzi, Nasri (Kranevitter 87), Sarabia (Ben Yedder 65); Iborra; Vitolo
Referee: Eriksson (SWE)
