AC Milan joined fellow Italians Juventus in the last eight with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich at the San Siro, sending them through to the Champions League quarter-finals, 5-2 on aggegate.
Filippo Inzaghi was on target either side of the break while Andriy Shevchenko, who missed a penalty, and Kaka also got their names on the
scoresheet.
Bayern had given themselves a glimmer of hope when Valerien Ismael made the score 2-1 in the 35th minute, but they could not stem the Milan tide as the hosts breezed into the quarter-finals.
Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn vowed his side would play 'the game of our lives' to ensure their name went into the draw for the last eight but Milan were the more determined side early on and they deservedly went ahead after eight minutes.
Martin Demichelis squandered possession in midfield and the loose ball was picked up by Serginho on the left wing. The Brazilian's cross found Inzaghi in acres of space and he headed in from close range as Ismael and Bixente Lizarazu stood watching.
Ismael was Bayern's villain in the first leg for handling the ball inside the area, allowing Shevchenko to grab an important away goal from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw.
And the Frenchman made another crass error on Wednesday, holding Inzaghi in the area to give away another spot-kick. This time Shevchenko sidefooted the penalty wide - but he more than made amends 60 seconds later.
Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam crossed from the right and the Ukraine international stepped in to guide a header past Kahn from close range to double Milan's advantage.
Felix Magath's side got the lifeline they were looking for 10 minutes before the interval when Bastian Schweinsteiger's free-kick was fumbled by Dida to the feet of Ismael, who made up for his earlier errors by slotting home.
Bayern pushed for a second goal which would have put them ahead on away goals, but Dida made an excellent reflex save to deny Ballack before half-time.
Milan regained control of the game two minutes into the second half as Inzaghi struck again.
Another string of defensive gaffes, again involving Ismael and Lizarazu, allowed Inzaghi the easiest of goals, although he needed two attempts before finally heading past Kahn.
The tie was over in the 59th minute when the outstanding Kaka blasted into the roof of the net from 10 yards following Shevchenko's through-ball.
