A stunning Cristiano Ronaldo strike saw Manchester United progress to the Champions League semi-finals with a 1-0 win at Porto.
 
The Portuguese star scored after just six minutes to see United become the first English side to win at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao stadium.
 
For a time, though, United were still a little shaky and vulnerable. Cristian Rodriguez and Lucho Gonzalez in particular were becoming increasingly effective and  it was really only when the latter was stretchered off – giving an irate Ferguson a chance to berate his players – that the reigning champions showed any sign of playing as such.
 
Porto still had chances – Bruno Alves went close with a header while Lisandro Lopez struck an effort straight at Edwin van der Sar – but United were starting to assert themselves.
 
Ryan Giggs struck a volley on goal and, just before half-time, and Nemanja Vidic was just unable to direct a corner on target with the goalmouth gaping. 
 
Porto, though, were back on top in the second half but still they failed to make anything of their chances.
 
Late on, Mariano started to cause real problems on the right wing, and Lisandro should have done far better when he met the substitute’s cross with five minutes to play, while Farias failed to make good contact with a free header just afterwards.
 
A deserved victory for United, then, as they prepare to face Arsenal in another Premier League-dominated semi-finals.