Champions League review:Defending champions Manchester United continue on their quest for an unprecedented five trophies after a 2-0 win over Inter Milan at Old Trafford, that was anything but straight forward. Arsenal made life even more difficult for themselves but eventually progressed after a tense penalty shootout with Roma. Spanish champions Barcelona and FC Porto will join them in the last eight.
After a 0-0 draw in Milan left the tie wide open, United got the perfect start when Nemanja Vidic lost his marker Patrick Vieira before powering home a header from a fourth minute corner.
The scene appeared set for another vintage performance but Inter, still in need of just the one goal to go through, refused to fade and took the game to their hosts.
Up front, Zlatan Imbrahimovic held the ball up well and went closest to equalising from Maicon’s free-kick when his downward header bounced up and hit the crossbar.
The Swede then brilliantly set-up Dejan Stankovic, whose volley went close, and fired another effort just wide of Edwin van der Sar’s post when he beat the offside trap.
Having made it to halftime ahead, despite some dangerously poor passing and defending, United hit their opponents early again, this time through the head of Cristiano Ronaldo after a deftly clipped cross from Wayne Rooney.
Inter manager Jose Mourinho, back at the scene of his famous triumph with Porto in 2004, was quick to react and brought on Adriano and Luis Figo to bolster the attack.
The former almost made an immediate impact when stretching for Esteban Cambiasso’s cross, but his volley hit the inside the post.
Inter’s play grew ever more desperate, however, and though they were repeatedly gifted possession it was too often wasted.
Max Tonetto missed the crucial spotkick as Arsenal beat AS Roma 7-6 on penalties.
Roma made it 1-1 on aggregate after nine minutes when defender Juan, who later went off injured, slammed in at the far post after Arsenal had allowed Francesco Totti's ball to run across the box.
The home side also had a strong shout for a penalty when Marco Motta went down under pressure from Gael Clichy just before halftime.
Arsenal were poor throughout and had few chances in normal time. Neither side came close in a tired extra period.
Eduardo's penalty was saved by Doni to give Roma an immediate advantage but Mirko Vucinic soon restored parity when firing straight at Manuel Almunia, before Tonetto blazed his effort high over the bar.
Barcelona led Lyon 4-0 at the Nou Camp after Thierry Henry had struck twice and Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o joined in the fun, before conceding two quick goals either side of halftime to the French side.
The Catalans were flirting with disaster but they gradually regained their composure and a late strike from Seydou Keita rounded off a 6-3 aggregate win.
Porto sneaked through at the expense of Atletico Madrid, their 0-0 draw in the second leg enough to see them through on the away goals rule following a 2-2 draw in the Spanish capital two weeks ago.
Champions League quarter-finalists
Arsenal
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Chelsea
Liverpool
Manchester United
FC Porto
Villarreal
