The Portuguese side were without top scorer Jackson Martinez, but they struck four fine goals as Yacine Brahimi curled in a 20-yard free-kick.

Hector Herrera doubled the lead before Casemiro thundered in a free-kick.

Vincent Aboubakar then added a fourth late on before Walter Samuel saw red as Porto extended their unbeaten run in this competition to 10 games.

The 2004 Champions League winners were rarely troubled by the Swiss side, who qualified from their group at Liverpool's expense.

And although many big European teams will see Porto as a good team to draw in the quarter-finals, they have gained a great deal of momentum under Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui.

Basel, who were hoping to reach the last eight for the first time since 1974, never looked like doing so on a miserable night for their Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa.

Porto established control early on through Brahimi's finish, after veteran Argentine defender Samuel brought down Cristian Tello.

And their biggest concern in the first half was when goalkeeper Fabiano sprinted from his line to intercept a through ball and accidently smashed his shoulder into the face of his own stand-in captain Danilo.

At one point it looked very serious for the Brazilian defender, who was quickly surrounded by medics, but he appeared to be conscious as he was carried off the field on a stretcher and the club later tweeted to say there was no serious injury.

Porto did not appear to be missing their regular skipper Martinez, who was out with a groin injury. His replacement, 

Cameroonian Aboubakar, deputised ably and almost made it 2-0 with a swerving shot from 25 yards.

Basel seldom threatened the Porto goal, with Marco Streller curling over the top when well-placed and Shkelzen Gashi hitting a shot wide of the post despite having more time to compose himself.

(BBC)