Last 16: Leg 2, Day 1

Lyon 0-2 Roma (Aggregate: 0-2, Roma advances)

Having failed to score an away goal in the first leg in Rome, the home side Olympique Lyonnais came out desperate not to concede the first score of the match. The Brazillian international midfielder Juninho created three chances for Lyon in the early going on a wicked shot on goal and two well-placed free kick crosses to teammates Sebastien Squillaci and Sydney Govou. But it was the Italian international and World Cup winner Francesco Totti who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a powerful header off a perfect cross from Max Tonetti. The match was put away in the 43rd minute when Roma’s Allesandro Mancini received a crossfield pass 30 yards out, dribbled past defender Anthony Reveillere in a dazzling series of stepovers, and powered home the goal of the night. With the win Roma advances to the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in their history, while French Champion Lyon fails to reach the Last 8 for the first time in three years.

Liverpool 0-1 Barcelona (Agg: 2-2, Liverpool advances on away goals)

Despite all expectations of an early Barca offensive onslaught, the Catalans looked uncharacteristically sluggish in the first half at Anfield. Liverpool had the best chances of the half on quick powerful counter attacks, with Norwegian international defender John Arne Riise and Malian international defensive midfielder Momo Sissoko each hitting the crossbar. After managing only one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, Barcelona finally found some rhythm in the second half. Ronaldinho almost broke the stalemate when, in a moment of shear brilliance, he beat three men only to hammer his shot off the woodwork. Barca found fresh legs when substitutes French international winger Ludovic Giuly and Icelandic international forward Eidur Gudjohnsen came on for Eto’o and Thuram. Indeed, the Ice Man, Gudjohnsen, delivered the lone goal of the contest in the 73^rd minute when he coolly took the ball past the challenge of Reds’ keeper Jose Reina. With 20 minutes remaining, one more goal would have sent the Blaugrana through, but with the Anfield faithful in strong voice, Liverpool withstood every challenge Barca could muster. Thus on virtue of the away goal tie-breaker rule, the Spanish champions, current Champions League holders, and Poet Laureates of football were unceremoniously and precipitately eliminated from the tournament. Pity both sides couldn’t advance after this hard fought tie.

Valencia 0-0 Inter Milan (Agg: 2-2, Valencia advances on away goals)

With 2 away goals in their pocket, home side Valencia came out in a defensive posture at the Mestalla in Spain. Despite their conservative approach Valencia had the early chances on goal with scrappy play by David Villa, Fernando Morientes, and Ruben Baraja. Inter mounted a strong challenge in the final 10 minutes of the match - most notably on two chances for Julio Cruz created by Italian international defender and Zidane headbutt-ee Marco Materazzi. But the Nerazzuri failed to put the ball in the back of the net and thus conceded their place in the quarterfinals to the Spanish boys with bats on their shirts by way of the away goal rule. At the final whistle a brawl broke out when words were heatedly exchanged between Valencia midfielder Carlos Marchena and Inter midfielder Nicolas Burdisso. The fracas was escalated when Valencia substitute, David Navarro - who hadn’t played in the match- ran onto the middle of the pitch and punched Nicolas Burdisso in the face, breaking his nose. Several Inter players chased Navarro into the tunnel where the fight continued. Inter players attempted to find him in the Valencia dressing room but were stopped in a scuffle with security. No doubt UEFA will dole out some fines for the melee. Regardless, having won 18 of their last 19 matches, the Serie A leaders Inter Milan return to Italy stunned by their failure to qualify for the Last 8.

Chelsea 2-1 Porto (Agg: 3-2, Chelsea advances)

Things started off on shaky footing for Jose Mourinho's Blues as his former team Porto came hard out of the gates with well executed one-touch football. In the 15th minute Portugese international midfielder Ricardo Quaresma initiated the scoring with a nifty run past Czech international goalkeeper Petr Cech. But in the opening of the second half Chelsea's fears were allayed when Dutch international striker Arjen Robben drilled in the equaliser from 25 yards out. The last minute heroics of two of the newest Blues delivered the tie-winner when German international captain Michael Ballack headed in a ball served by a header from Ukrainian international captain Andriy Schevchenko off a cross from English international defender Ashley Cole. Ballack picked a fortunate time to score his first goal since November. Jose Mourinho's success at Chelsea continues as his side won England's Carling Cup against Arsenal last week and now moves on in their dream of a European Championship.