Tuesday's hard-fought 0-0 stalemate between Inter Milan and Porto allowed them to advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League by a score of 1-0 overall.

PHOTO | COURTESY Lukaku scoring winning goal against Porto

The Italian team, which has won this championship thrice, reached the round of eight for the first time since 2011.

Inter and AC Milan have advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006, respectively.

Clutching a one-goal edge from Romelu Lukaku's last 16 first-leg late winner, Inter geared up to frustrate at the Stadium do Dragao.

Porto enjoyed most of the possession but could only pose a few challenges to Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana, failing to advance for the third time in their previous five efforts.

They had their best chances in stoppage time, when Mehdi Taremi and Marko Grujic shot just wide of the post, while Marcano's attempt found a clearance off the line.

PHOTO | COURTESY Inter Milan edge Porto to qualify for the quarter-finals

Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu remarked, "There are so many feelings right now; after so many years, we are happy about this victory.

"We made some blunders, but overall, we did a terrific job. It was quite challenging, but I commend the crew on a job well done."

Despite criticism for their domestic performance, Calhanoglu claimed that this game gave Inter's players confidence.

The encounter "restores motivation for us" because "anything can happen in the Champions League," he continued.

We pushed hard until the final siren and qualified, even if we didn't score.

With Romelu Lukaku sitting on the bench, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi put Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez up front to snap a losing streak away from home.

Porto has an excellent recent record against Italian teams, having defeated Juventus and Roma recently, but the 180 minutes against Inter were without a goal for the Portuguese champions.

Pepe, a 40-year-old senior centre defender, could not join the team after they were suddenly without their captain.

Otavio, who was released at the San Siro, was also absent for Porto, but Stephen Eustaquio filled in admirably.

PHOTO | COURTESY Inter Milan through to UCL quarter-finals

Early on, Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa made good stops on Dzeko and Nicolo Barella while Matheus Uribe sent a nasty shot just past Inter's net.

Throughout the first half, Sergio Conceicao's team was in control, and Evanilson was only kept at bay by a brilliant sliding block by Federico Dimarco.

Just before halftime, the hosts might have seized the lead, but Eustaquio could not connect on Pepe's enticing cross from Brazil.

- Porto, In Need

As Porto's urgency increased, Grujic tested Andre Onana with a low drive, and Galeno also compelled the Cameroonian international to make a save.

PHOTO | COURTESY Porto eliminated from Champions League

Despite losing Alessandro Bastoni to what appears to be a hamstring injury, Inter clung tenaciously to their slender lead from the first leg.

In the dying moments, Milan Skriniar returned from injury as Inzaghi's team dug in and stopped Porto at every step.

In the last seconds of regulation, Denzel Dumfries successfully cleared Marcano's shot off the line to deny Porto its first real opportunity of the contest.

In a heartbreaking finish, the Portuguese team hit the crossbar and the post twice: Onana pushed Taremi's header against the post, and Grujic nodded against the crossbar.

"We were better in the second half, had more possession and chances, and I still can't believe the ball didn't go in," said Grujic.

"The fans were encouraging, and it was encouraging to see that they realized how much we sacrificed. We were determined to prevail in the match".

"The atmosphere in Dragao was fantastic, therefore we are quite upset right now."

Pepe, a wide player for Porto, was dismissed at the end after receiving a second yellow card, but Inter held off the late onslaught.

Inzaghi is under pressure because the Italians have only triumphed once on the road in 2023, but the quarterfinals provide him more breathing room.