Porto 0-0 Inter Milan (0-1 agg): Simone Inzaghi breathes a HUGE sigh of relief on a nervy night in Portugal as stalemate seals the Italian sides spot in Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 12 YEARS

By Nathan Salt For Mailonline21:57 14 Mar 2023, updated 22:48 14 Mar 2023

Inter have reached the Champions League quarter-finals for first time since 2011

Simone Inzaghis side dug in with a defensive masterclass to progress through

Romelu Lukakus goal from the first leg was all that separated sides over two legs

Inter Milan were made to sweat as Porto crashed the post and the bar in the 96th minute before theirChampions Leaguecampaign came to an end.

The Italians arrived in Portugal with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg and in a reunion devoid of much quality it was Inter who were hanging on in stoppage time to join bitter rivalsAC Milanin the last eight.

Porto threw everything at Inter to force extra-time but the woodwork twice denied them before Pepe was shown a red card and the hosts bowed out with 10 men.

There were tears from home players at the end, many collapsing to their knees, while Inter players slapped each other on the back as they celebrated reaching the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2011.

Not since 2005-06 have both Milan sides have made it to this stage and on Wednesday Napoli have the chance to make it three Italian teams in the quarter-finals for the first time ever.

There was heartbreak for FC Porto as they were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League

On a fraught night against Inter Milan, Porto had no breakthrough and it finished 0-0

Inzaghi pulled off a defensive masterclass on the road to progress

Conceicao cut a furious figure by the end

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Its so emotional, after so many years to be in the quarter-finals, Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu toldSky Sports Italia.

FC Porto:Diogo Costa, Eduardo Pepe, Fabio Cardoso, Marcano,Sanusi (Wendell 85), Grujic, Uribe (Loader 85), Evanilson (Martinez 71), Eustaquio (Franco 71), Galeno, Taremi.

Subs not used: Carmo, Veron, Ramos, Conceicao, Sousa, Borges, Pereira Folha, Samuel.

Inter Milan: Onana, Darmian (Skriniar 80), Acerbi, Bastoni (De Vrij 74), Dumfries, Barella (Brozovic 80), Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco (DAmbrosio 70), Martinez, Dzeko (Lukaku 70).

Subs not used: Handanovic, Gagliardini, Correa, Bellanova, Asllani, Cordaz, Carboni.

I feel so proud. We made some mistakes, but worked really hard, it was very difficult and congratulations to all my teammates. Great work.

Anything can happen in the Champions League. We felt a bit sad after the defeat to Spezia, this can help us get back on our feet.

We didnt score, but worked so hard and what matters is qualifying for the next phase.

Inter will hope this quarter-final appearance -the draw is being made on Friday- is a much improved display compared to their last experience.

Twelve years ago, they were hammered 7-3 on aggregate by German side Schalke in a humiliating double header.

Asked if Inter can go all the way and win the tournament, something they havent done since Jose Mourinhos famous treble-winning side over a decade ago, Henrikh Mkhitaryan remained coy.

We knew it would be very tough, he told Sky. I want to congratulate my team-mates because we fought great.

We had to fight for this result until the end. We knew this was a tough match and we do best in these matches.

I hope this qualification gives us the push for the next matches.

Inter fans and players arrived to a wall of hostility and Inzaghi stressed to his squad that they needed to ride out an early wave of pressure.

Tensions spoiled over at the end as Porto pushed for a goal with Conceicao shown a yellow

Romelu Lukaku, send on as a late sub, scored in the first leg and that was to be the difference

Big smiles accompanied Inter at the end as they reached the last eight for first time since 2011

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In doing so Inter were able to get a foothold in the game and it was not until a late flurry, when Porto had to throw caution to the wind, did they look vulnerable.

We knew what had happened to the other Italians here, we wrote a piece of history, Inzaghi beamed afterwards.

It is a monumental win for the Inter boss as pressure was beginning to build on him. Questions had been swirling as to his suitability to coach the Nerazzuri.

I answer [the same] as on the eve [of the game], I am very happy with my work and with the staff, he continued.

I want to dedicate the qualification to the fans. I enjoy every success without any problem.

There was heartbreak for FC Porto as they were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League

On a fraught night against Inter Milan, Porto had no breakthrough and it finished 0-0

Inzaghi pulled off a defensive masterclass on the road to progress

Conceicao cut a furious figure by the end

Tensions spoiled over at the end as Porto pushed for a goal with Conceicao shown a yellow

Romelu Lukaku, send on as a late sub, scored in the first leg and that was to be the difference

Big smiles accompanied Inter at the end as they reached the last eight for first time since 2011

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