...Liverpool claiming the prized scalp of Barcelona in front of the Merseyside club's new American owners while Chelsea came from behind to spare José Mourinho the unthinkable prospect of elimination by FC Porto, his former employers.
Liverpool were beaten 1-0 by Barcelona at Anfield as Eidur Gudjohnsen set up a tense final 15 minutes by making the aggregate score 2-2, but Rafael Benítez's team won on away goals to book their place in Friday's draw, when they could be paired with Chelsea — or, should they secure their places tonight, Manchester United, Arsenal or Celtic. "I'm not thinking about one team or another team because they are all good teams in the draw," Benítez said. The draw for the semi-finals will also be made.
George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, the American sports tycoons, were left awe-struck as they tried to find the words to sum up their first taste of the Anfield experience and, even though Liverpool were beaten on the night, the players talked of repeating their feat of 2005, when they lifted the European Cup for a fifth time.
"This club has got a great history in Europe but, besides winning finals, this is probably the biggest result in Europe we've ever had," Jamie Carragher said after a superb performance in defence to frustrate Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi et al.
"Barcelona are the best club side in the world, even though we've knocked them out. We were hanging on and, with ten or 12 minutes to go, we were just praying for the whistle."
However, it was not enough to impress Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach, who offered Benítez's team his congratulations but said "I don't see Liverpool progressing" on account of their style, which he believes is too defensive.
Whatever the criticism, Liverpool certainly made an impression on their new owners, who bought a 62 per cent stake in the club last month.
"It was my first time to Anfield and everything I'd heard was true," Hicks said. "It was a special night for all the fans, a wonderful occasion. I'd heard so much about the fans, but that was spectacular. I've seen a lot of sporting events all around the world, but nothing that comes close to that."
With Chelsea trailing 1-0 to Porto at half-time at Stamford Bridge, 2-1 down on aggregate, Mourinho could see his world collapsing around him. His dreams — and those of Roman Abramovich, the billionaire owner — appeared to be in tatters. Yet inspired by Mourinho's interval team-talk, Chelsea recovered to win 2-1 and reach the last eight 3-2 on aggregate.
"At half-time we were out of the Champions League," Mourinho said. "Porto played better than us in the first half — that was it. It was difficult in the way that I had to speak to the players. I said that, at the moment, we are out and we can either be scared of the pressure or enjoy it. We showed our personality.
"Even after we scored our goals it was still a tie until the last seconds. It was a game that was open until the last whistle. I don't think it was destiny [the 48th-minute equaliser from Arjen Robben], it was a reaction that we had to make.
"Yes, we have reached the quarter-finals, but look at the good teams who are out — Porto, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Lyons. Even if you go out of the quarter-finals, it is normal. It can happen."