Inter finally reached the Champions League quarterfinals after a 12-year absence thanks to a narrow victory over Porto.
Inter held out for a 1-0 aggregate victory over Porto to reach the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in more than a decade.
After winning the first leg 1-0 at San Siro three weeks ago, Simone Inzaghi's team earned a hard-fought goalless draw at Estadio do Dragao to advance.
The Nerazzurri then made it to the last eight of Europe's premier club competition for the first time since 2010-11.
Notwithstanding a whirlwind of late possibilities, Porto - who had Pepe shipped off briefly yellow card in stoppage time - couldn't change over it into the objectives they expected to arrive at a second from last quarter-last in five years.
Following 1-0 from the principal leg, Porto nearly evened out the tie in marvelous style following three minutes, Andre Onana compelled to scramble across and tip away Mateus Uribe's 30-yard exertion.
Diogo Costa made a smart reflex save to deny Edin Dzeko at the other end after Inter launched a quick counterattack.
At the end of the half, Porto increased their pressure. Evanilson was denied a clear view of the goal by Federico Dimarco's brilliantly timed last-ditch intervention, and Stephen Eustaquio was just inches away from connecting with Pepe's inviting cross.
Early in the second half, Uribe and Barella missed with long-range shots, leaving neither team with many clear chances.
Porto, who had won every one of their four past four home matches against Italian rivals, controlled belonging as they frantically looked to square the tie.
The hosts sent off a last-heave flood in stoppage time and Denzel Dumfries impeded Ivan Marcano's shot on the line, while Mehdi Taremi and Grujic both struck the woodwork before Pepe's excusal as a strikingly difficult Bury hung on.
What does it indicate? Inter prevails thanks to defensive prowess. Despite having just 32% possession and making only four shots to their opponents' 21, Inter held their nerve to secure a place in the last eight.
When they won the first leg, the Nerazzurri have advanced from five of six two-leg Champions League knockout matches.
In terms of Porto, they have lost on seven of the eight occasions in which they have lost the first leg.
The last time Inter advanced from a Champions League knockout match without conceding on both legs was in the 2009-10 quarterfinal against CSKA Moscow. Onana and co. keep Porto out. Incidentally, they proceeded to lift the prize that year.
It was some work from the Nerazzurri to rehash the accomplishment almost 13 years after the fact. Onana made six saves in goal, while Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi each contributed five clearances, which was a game-high.
Dzeko's drought continues. Since scoring in Inter's Supercoppa Italiana victory over rival Milan on January 18, the veteran striker has not scored in 10 matches.
After recording the second fewest touches (32) and passes (19) of any starting player for the visitors, he was replaced by Romelu Lukaku with 20 minutes remaining, even though his team was defending their lead throughout the second leg.
Facts about Opta: Porto has lost the first leg of seven of their eight two-legged Champions League knockout matches. The only time they made it this far was against Roma in 2018-19.
- Inter has qualified for the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since 2010-11, when they were eliminated by Schalke in the last eight. This is Inter's seventh appearance overall and the first time they have done so.
- In their last seven home Champions League knockout matches, Porto has only won two, drawn one, and lost four.
- For the first time since April 2010, Inter has kept three consecutive clean sheets in Champions League knockout games.
What follows?
Inter continues to win big games. They only have the minor matter of the Derby d'Italia against Juventus on Sunday, while Porto travels to Sporting Braga to try to respond.
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