Liverpool reached the Champions League quarter-finals as Barcelona lost their
European crown on a thrilling night at Anfield.
The holders threw everything they could muster at Liverpool's defiant ranks,
under siege for much of the second period, and even a goal from Eidur Gudjohnsen
with 15 minutes left could not break the resolve of the hosts.
Liverpool's 2-1 victory Liverpool achieved in the first leg a fortnight ago
was too much for Barcelona, who were unable to become the first side in 11 years
to lose a home first leg and still win a Champions League tie.
Michael Ballack earned Chelsea a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions
League with a late winner at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho's former club had threatened to dump Chelsea out of the
competition after Ricardo Quaresma had given them a precious half-time lead.
But Arjen Robben restored parity three minutes after the break and Ballack's
strike - his first since November - put Chelsea in the last eight.
Francesco Totti and Alessandro Mancini scored first-half goals as Roma
advanced into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time thanks to a
smash-and-grab second-leg win over Lyon at the Stade Gerland.
The Italians had it all to do tonight after managing only a goalless draw at
home in the first leg.
But despite being under the cosh for much of the return fixture, Totti's
21st-minute header and Mancini's superb individual 43rd-minute effort saw them
home.
Lyon, for whom Juninho was a constant danger, battled away gamely but they
found visiting goalkeeper Alexander Doni in superb fettle.
He pulled off a string of fine saves, especially in the second half, to
somehow keep the hosts scoreless in the tie.
In tonight's other last 16 match, Valencia resisted a late surge from Inter
Milan to hold firm and book their place in the quarter-finals on away goals.
A 0-0 draw at the Mestalla was enough for Enrique Quique Flores' men to go
through thanks to the two goals they scored in Milan a fortnight ago.
But UEFA will be looking into a post-match fracas involving the two teams,
which spilled over into the tunnel.
