Bremen continue Real's German misery
Werder Bremen upset nine-time titleholders Real Madrid 3-2 to leave Champions League Group C too close to call with one match remaining.
Real are still favourites to go through to the knockout round as they still lead the standings despite this loss, level on eight points with Olympiakos, who beat Lazio in Rome.
But Werder Bremen, whose last match next month is away to Olympiakos, put themselves back in contention by moving up to six points with even Lazio, who are away to Real, still in with a mathematical chance of going through.
Real, deprived here of the suspended midfielder Diego, have a woeful record in Germany, this defeat stretching that run to 22 games and only one success.
And Bremen it was who got the perfect start when Markus Rosenberg, who despite scuffing his shot put enough force behind it to get the ball past Iker Casillas, put them ahead after five minutes.
Real, keen to seal their passage to the next round with one game to spare, were back on level terms nine minutes later when Robinho conjured up a magical curling shot to put the ball beyond Christian Vander's dive and into the far corner of the net.
Bremen, on a hot streak after securing their sixth win from seven games in the Bundesliga at the weekend to lie one point off leaders Bayern Munich, regained control five minutes from the interval.
Rosenberg was at the heart of the move, skipping past a number of Spanish challenges to cross for Boubacar Sanogo to volley into the far corner of the net.
Real were looking anything like nine time European Champions when Aaron Hunt put them further behind in the 58th minute.
The 21-year-old German attacker latched onto a ball pitched over the Madrid defence and he only had to proud it past Casillas with his left foot.
Real reduced the deficit with 18 minutes left on the clock when Ruud van Nistelrooy got his 53rd goal in the competition, chipping Guti's pass over Vander's head.
But the Dutch international's intervention wasn't enough to leave Real with work to do to join their fellow European giants like Manchester United and the two Milans, AC and Inter, in the next round.
Every loss is a 'crisis', says Barcelona's Deco
Barcelona's Portugal international Deco said Monday that every defeat for the club now becomes a new crisis.
"When we have two or three good matches, the critics are good, sometimes too good, and when we lose one, it's a crisis - we criticise the manager, some players too..," he told Barca TV, the club's television channel.
"But the criticism is normal, especially when the manager has been here a long time," said the Brazilian-born midfielder, who has been out injured for the past month.
Manager Frank Rijkaard, in place since 2003, has been the target of fierce criticism since a 2-0 away defeat by Getafe in the league this month. But away from home, they have taken just six points.
"We must be aware that in order to win the league, we must pick up points away from home," said Deco.
He added his recovery from a thigh injury he picked up during a 3-1 defeat at Villarreal on October 20, is going well.
"It's true that I've had a good start to the season," the former FC Porto star said.
"I was playing well, I felt good physically. Now I must get back and try to find the right level."
Barcelona are third in the title race, four points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid after 12 matches.
Cameroon and Ivory Coast secure Beijing slots
Cameroon and Ivory Coast secured slots at the 2008 Beijing Olympics football tournament with impressive weekend wins.
Indonesia-based Christian Bekamenga scored five minutes from full-time in Guinea to clinch a 3-1 that gave the 'Indomitable Cubs' of Cameroon a four-point lead in Group C with one round left.
And Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou was among the scorers as Ivory Coast overwhelmed Zambia 4-1 in Abidjan to record a fourth consecutive Group B victory and build a five-point advantage.
It will be the third appearance of 2000 Sydney gold medalists Cameroon at the quadrennial tournament where national under-23 squads can include three over-age footballers.
Ivory Coast are going to the Games for the first time and could be a side to watch as experienced French coach Gerard Gili has moulded a potent mix of local and foreign-based footballers.
The third place reserved for Africa rests between Group A leaders Ghana and second-placed Nigeria, who will climb to the top if they defeat South Africa at home next March.
Ghana have represented Africa six times, most notably by finishing third at the 1992 Barcelona Games, and the highlight of five appearances by Nigeria was winning the 1996 edition in Atlanta.
After closest challengers Morocco lost 2-0 in Botswana, Cameroon knew three points would suffice and were ahead within 13 minutes through France-based Aurelien Chedjou.
Abdoulaye Sylla levelled midway through the first half in Conakry only for Alexis Enam from Libyan club Al-Ittihad to edge the Cubs in front again before half-time.
Gervais Yao Kouassi scored twice and Sekou Cisse once to put the Ivorian 'Baby Elephants' three goals ahead after 59 minutes and Given Singuluma pulled one back before Kalou completed the rout.
Daniel Addo squandered the best chance as Ghana were held 0-0 by Nigeria in Accra, shooting timidly at goalkeeper Ambrose Vanzekin after breaking clear during the second half.
Knowing three points would take them beyond the reach of arch rivals Nigeria, Ghana attacked relentlessly, but even the introduction of Addo, Obed Ansah and Kwadjo Asamoah could not unlock the 'Dream Team' defence.
The final five qualifying fixtures are slated for March 26.
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