Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng was in action for AC Milan failed to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the fourth successive season Wednesday.
Tottenham advanced past AC Milan by holding the seven-time winners to a 0-0 draw and protecting a 1-0 first-leg advantage in London.
While Milan was sharper and more dangerous than at home, the Serie A leaders couldn't find a way past Tottenham, which is playing in the European Cup for the first time since 1962.
Their Ghanaian midfielder Boateng was seen as the man to help them advance but he had a relatively quiet game.
He was substituted in the second half.
Milan has now been eliminated by a Premier League side in the last-16 phase in three of the last four seasons since lifting the trophy in 2007.
The loss leaves holder Inter Milan, which Tottenham beat in the group stage, as Italy's last hope of reaching the final in north London at Wembley Stadium in May.
Progressing in the Champions League is vital for Spurs since they are fifth in the Premier League and three points behind Chelsea in the last qualifying spot for Europe's top competition.
Chelsea and Manchester United will play their last-16 second-legs next week, while Tottenham's north London rival Arsenal was beaten by Barcelona on Tuesday.