Marseille have secured their passage into the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite losing 2-1 on the night to Inter Milan.

It was Inter who begun the match on the front foot and Yuto Nagatomo nearly opened the scoring with a header after six minutes, but it drifted just wide.

Inter again came close via Diego Milito after 13 minutes, but his header just flicked over the bar from close range.

Wesley Sneijder was enjoying large spells of possession in the early stages, but Marseille remained a threat on the counter with Morgan Amalfitano proving dangerous on the ball.

The French side continued to defend well in the latter stages of the half, with a Diego Forlan header just before the break proving the best chance for Inter.

Inter continued to struggle to carve out openings early in the second period, as the French club camped in their own half.

Chances were few and far between as the match approached its latter stages, but Marseille so nearly put the tie beyond Inter after 72 minutes, but Alou Diarra placed his header straight at Julio Cesar from close range.

Inter eventually secured the opening goal after 75 minutes when Milito poked home from close range to tie the game at 1-1 on aggregate.

Marseille added the vital away goal via Brandao late on, however, to tie the game at 1-1 on the night.

Giampaolo Pazzini converted a late penalty for Inter after Steve Mandanda had felled him in the box, and the Marseille goalkeeper saw red for his troubles.

It was too little too late for Inter, however, who leave the competition on away goals despite winning 2-1 on the night.

The draw for the latter stages of the Champions League will be made on Friday.