Roma pulled off a sensational second-leg comeback to beat Barcelona 3-0 and reach the Champions League semi-finals on away goals.
Barca were heavy favourites to progress after a 4-1 first-leg win, but fell apart to Roma’s brilliant showing.
Defender Kostas Manolas scored the crucial third goal, heading in at the near post with seven minutes remaining.
Edin Dzeko struck early to give Roma hope and Daniele de Rossi added a second-half penalty.
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The crowd at the Stadio Olimpico erupted at the final whistle as the Roma substitutes and coaching staff piled on to the pitch to celebrate with the players.
There were tears in the stands from those watching, not quite believing what they had witnessed.
Roma deserve superb win
Roma became only the third team in Champions League history to overturn a first-leg defeat of three goals or more – Deportivo La Coruna against AC Milan in 2003 and Barcelona against Paris St-Germain last season.
On this occasion, runaway Spanish league leaders Barcelona were on the receiving end of an unthinkable result.
They had no answer to Roma’s high-tempo, energetic performance which brought a richly deserved victory.
Ex-Manchester City striker Dzeko, whose former team were knocked out by Liverpool in Tuesday’s other quarter-final, set Roma on their way by poking in from close range.
The Bosnia striker also had a header tipped over and Czech forward Patrik Schick nodded wide from a promising position.
Roma, fourth in Serie A, kept up the pressure in the second period and were awarded a penalty just before the hour mark when Gerard Pique bundled Dzeko over in the box and De Rossi despatched the spot-kick.
With time running out, Cengiz Under whipped in a cross towards the front post which Greece defender Manolas rose highest to meet and convert to spark jubilant scenes.
‘We don’t fear anyone’
Roma striker Edin Dzeko told BT Sport: “It is difficult to believe but we did it and did it in style.
“Nobody believed in us before the game – they gave us a 5% chance of winning – but against such a team like Barcelona, you expect that after losing the first game 4-1.
“We had to be concentrated not to concede a goal. We remembered the first game where they scored four goals from three shots on target as we scored two own goals.
“We believed even more after the first goal – it pushed us and in the end I am so proud.
“The win is difficult to describe. We lost against Fiorentina in the league three days ago but we played an amazing game today and had even more chances to score.
“It was great teamwork from the first to the last minute. It is the first time in history to knock out Barcelona 3-0 and that makes it even more special.
“We will enjoy the semi-finals – I do not fear anyone. They are all top teams. I am just happy to see my team in the draw.”
Omens?
Five-time European Cup winners Barcelona were chasing a treble of trophies this season, having equalled the La Liga record of 38 unbeaten games at the weekend and reaching the Copa del Rey final.
But they were punished for an uncharacteristically poor showing, offering very little in attack and crumbling in the face of the dogged Romans, who were buoyed on by the vocal home support.
Their best chance fell to star player Lionel Messi, but his thumping drive was straight at goalkeeper Alisson and he struck two free-kicks over the crossbar.
It has taken Roma 34 years to reach this stage of the competition, when they were beaten by Liverpool on penalties in the final.
Both sides still remain and could set up a repeat in Kiev on 26 May should they progress.
In Wednesday’s remaining quarter-final ties, defending champions Real Madrid are 3-0 ahead against Juventus after the first leg and Bayern Munich lead Sevilla 2-1.
