[ad_1]
Inter Milan reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in more than a decade after surviving a late barrage of pressure at Porto to escape with a 0-0 draw that took them 1-0 on aggregate.
It was a disappointing night for the home fans at the sold-out Dragao stadium as the Portuguese champions tried in vain to overturn their narrow deficit from the first leg in Italy.
A disciplined Inter side seemed content to hold on to the lead and did not face any serious threats until added time.
Porto hit the woodwork twice within 30 seconds before Pepe was sent off for a second yellow card as Inter joined city rivals AC Milan in the quarter-finals.
Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa hugs teammate Fabio Cardoso
How Inter beat Porto…
Inter Milan players celebrate after reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2011
In the end, Romelu Lukaku’s goal four minutes from the end of the first leg was enough to see Inter through to their first Champions League quarter-final since 2011.
Mehdi Taremi came within inches of forcing the tie into extra time when he rattled the crossbar in the closing stages.
Porto’s Toni Martinez reacts after getting a great chance
The Portuguese side were reduced to 10 men in the seventh minute of injury time when winger Pepe was shown a second yellow card.
On-loan Chelsea striker Lukaku came on for Inter 20 minutes from time, replacing Edin Dzeko who came close to scoring for Simone Inzaghi’s side with a low effort saved by Diogo Costa.
Napoli could become three Serie A clubs in the last eight on Wednesday, taking a 2-0 lead over Eintracht Frankfurt from the first leg.
[ad_2]
Source link