Bayern Qualify but Bremen, Bayer Stumble

German champions Werder Bremen face a daunting trip to Spanish champions Valencia in 12 days time if they are to qualify for the last sixteen of the Champions League following a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Frenchman Valerien Ismael converted a spot-kick to forge Bremen ahead in the 49th minute but Nigerian substitute Obafemi Martins levelled six minutes later thanks to a moment of genius from Dejan Stankovic.

Inter have already qualified for the knockout phase but Bremen must avoid defeat in Valencia after the Spaniards won 2-1 in Anderlecht. Bremen have ten points compared to Valencia's seven and have already defeated the Spaniards 2-1.

However, a 1-0 win for Claudio Ranieri's Valencia side will send Bremen crashing out. "The team went forward for the 90 minutes and showed how much they wanted to win," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf. "We have our fate in our own hands and that is important" Werder midfielder Fabian Ernst added, "It is all or nothing now."

Inter fielded a so-called reserve team having already qualified for the next stage but the presence of Dutch international Edgar Davids, Argentine international Javier Zanetti and Italian striking ace Christian Vieri underlined their strength-in-depth. Vieri was put clean through on goal after five minutes but lost his footing at the crucial moment to the relief of the Bremen supporters.

The hosts probed but did not create their first opening until the 28th minute. Croat Ivan Klasnic whipped an inviting cross for strike partner Miroslav Klose but the German international headed wide of the post.

Inter saw little of the ball but looked dangerous on the counter attack and Argentine midfielder Estaban Cambiasso came close near half-time with his shot whistling past the post of Bremen goalkeeper Andreas Reinke.

While the first period had few noteworthy incidents the first ten minutes of the second half were action packed. With 49 minutes gone Inter's Argentine Julio Cruz pressed the self-destruct button fouling Ludovic Magnin as a corner from the right was delivered and referee Gilles Veissiere pointed to the spot. French defender Ismael (photo), sent off in the opening 2-0 loss against Inter in Milan, stepped up to slot home the spot-kick.

Inter stage magic comeback

The celebrations at the Weserstadion were short-lived though as they were carved apart by a moment of magic from Serbia and Montenegro star Stankovic six minutes later. Stankovic produced a sublime chip that rebounded off the post and Nigerian substitute Martins, only on the pitch for three minutes, reacted first to bullet in a header.

"Bremen really wanted to beat us but my team stood firm," said Inter coach Roberto Mancini. "I was happy with the display and think the draw was a fair result."

Klose went close for Bremen late on with a header but Francesco Toldo produced a low save to keep the scores all square. Bremen must now show their metal at the Mestalla Stadium where Valencia are typically strong.

Munich into the last 16 after 5-1 mauling

Bayern Munich eased into the last sixteen of the Champions League with a resounding 5-1 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Tuesday. Ajax's 1-0 defeat to Juventus in Turin means Bayern finish runners-up in Group C behind the Italians and the Bundesliga leaders can now plan for the knockout phase.

Bayern coach Felix Magath was delighted with the display and the fact that the final away match against Ajax on December 8 has nothing at stake. "We stuttered at the beginning but after that we dominated proceedings," explained Magath. "The final game is irrelevant as we can not finish top of the group or slip from second."

Pizarro curler opens flood gates

Magath called for the killer instinct in front of goal and his team delivered scoring with their first shot on target after 12 minutes. Peruvian Claudio Pizarro cut inside and unleashed a 20 yard shot that arrowed into the top right hand corner. Still basking in their goal Bayern almost conceded a shock equaliser when Salem Abo Siam's attempted cross ricocheted off the top of Oliver Kahn's crossbar.

Bosnian international Hasan Salihamidzic relieved the tension at the Olympic Stadium netting on 37 minutes although he knew very little about it. Tel Aviv goalkeeper Liran Strauber parried a goal-bound header onto the chest of Salihamidzic who was virtually on the goal-line.

Magath brought off Bastian Schweinsteiger and the injured Owen Hargreaves but it did not spare Tel-Aviv from the constant Munich pressure. With just a minute to go before the interval German international Torsten Frings (photo, with Michael Ballack) produced a rasping right-footed volley that left Strauber with no chance.

After the break Bayern used the last of their three substitutions with playmaker Sebastian Deisler introduced as he continues his recovery from depression.

Consolation goal before Makaay seals it

Despite the fresh legs Bayern eased off and Tel-Aviv made them pay with their first away goal in this season's Champions League. Kahn inexplicably felled Barukh Dego in the penalty area after 55 minutes with the Maccabi striker going gown a cul-de-sac. Dego got up to convert the resulting penalty sending Kahn the wrong way.

However, a comeback was never on the cards and Dutch marksman Roy Makaay netted his fifth Champions League goal with 71 minutes gone.

Leverkusen's progress halted in Madrid

Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen fought out an exciting 1-1 draw to leave qualification from Champions League group B still up in the air for both sides on Tuesday. "Of course I wanted to go back to Germany with a win because then we could have relaxed for the last game but a draw is still good," said Bayer coach Klaus Augenthaler.

Bayer's Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov tormented Real just as he had done in their first encounter in Germany two months ago and put the visitors ahead after 36 minutes. Real club captain Raul then gave the nine-time European champions a deserved share of the points 20 minutes before the whistle to take him to 49 Champions League goals and a share of the all-time club record with former Real legend Alfredo Di Stefano.

Justice is done and Bayer fight another day

The Spaniards could have secured their qualification 10 minutes from time after Zinedine Zidane was brought down in the area by Bayer defender Juan. However, the fall was more of a dive and justice was done when Bayer goalkeeper Jorg Butt palmed away Luis Figo's penalty. "We were better in the first half and in the end I am happy we managed to hang on," a relieved Augenthaler concluded.