Skip to main content

Goalless draw enough to put Tottenham into quarters

Tottenhm's French defender William Gallas clears a shot from Robinho off the line during the 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.
Tottenhm's French defender William Gallas clears a shot from Robinho off the line during the 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Tottenham Hotspur are into the quarterfinals of the European Champions League
  • Spurs eliminate AC Milan 1-0 on aggregate after a 0-0 home draw on Wednesday
  • Milan go out of the competition at the last 16 stage for the second year in a row
  • German side Schalke beat Valencia 4-2 on aggregate to reach the quarterfinals
RELATED TOPICS

(CNN) -- Tottenham Hotspur are through to the quarterfinals of the European Champions League after a 0-0 draw at home to AC Milan gave them a 1-0 aggregate win on Wednesday.

Spurs withstood heavy pressure from the seven-time European champions at White Hart Lane, but the Londoners prevailed thanks to Peter Crouch's first leg goal at the San Siro.

Brazil forward Robinho twice went close for the Italian side with William Gallas having to clear the 27-year-old's first-half effort off the line.

Despite enjoying large periods of possession and dominance, Massimiliano Allegri's Milan could not make their superiority tell as they exited the competition at the last 16 stage for the second successive year.

The Serie A leaders started the match strongly and went close through Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic after 15 minutes -- Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes tipping his 25-yard free-kick around the post.

Ten minutes later and Gomes was involved again, this time when the goalkeeper was rounded by his Brazilian compatriot Alexandre Pato. The 21-year-old squared for Robinho, who saw his scuffed shot cleared off the line by Gallas.

The home side rarely threatened the Milan goal, and Rafael Van der Vaart's 20-yard drive straight at Christian Abbiati after 30 minutes was as close as Harry Redknapp's team came to a breakthrough.

The Rossoneri continued to press in the second half, with former Manchester City star Robinho again going close when Gomes dived low to his left to keep out a right-footed shot.

Milan fans behind the goal thought their team had taken the lead thanks to Pato's fierce half-volley after 76 minutes, but the Brazil international's crisp shot brushed the side-netting and flew narrowly wide of the goal.

The away team continued to press, but Spurs held firm to reach the last eight in their first-ever season in the competition.

German side Schalke joined Tottenham in the quarterfinals courtesy of a 4-2 aggregate win over Spain's Valencia.

With the tie delicately poised at 1-1 ahead of the second leg in Gelsenkirchen, Unai Emery's Valencia went ahead on aggregate through Ricardo Costa's goal.

Jefferson Farfan equalized for Schalke just before half-time and Felix Magath's side went ahead in the tie when Mario Gavranovic found the net after 52 minutes.

The Bundesliga outfit made sure of their progression when Peru's Farfan scored his second goal and Schalke's third in the final minute of injury time.