Lazio came from behind twice to hold Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw in Group C of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday while Olympiakos came from behind to stun Werder Bremen 3-1. Macedonian international struck twice to cancel out Ruud van Nistelrooy's double salvo and earn Lazio their second point of the group. In the 8th minute, Sneijder whips a free-kick from the left side that is met by fellow Dutchman Van Nistelrooy for the game's first goal. Pandev put the home side at level in the 32nd minute when he volleyed home from close range after being set up by a Guglielmo Stendardo header. Van Nistelrooy regained the lead for Real one minute after the hour with a brilliant strike. The Dutch ace was released by skipper Raul to go one on one with Marco Ballotta and chip the ball exquisitely over the 42-year-old Lazio guardian.
Thomas Schaff Real's joy was short lived as Pandev leveled once again with a sneaky low drive from long range. In Bremen, Werder suffered a disgraceful 3-1 defeat to underdogs Olympiakos. Hugo Almeida scored the opener from a tight angle when he got on the end of Daniel Jensen's cross from the left side in the 32nd minute. The Greeks responded with a vengeance in the second half. Ieroklis Stoltidis pounced on a fumble from stand-in Bremen keeper Christian Vander to slot home the equalizer in the 73rd minute. Nine minutes later Christos Patsatzoglou grabbed the lead for Olympiakos with a fierce shot before veteran Darko Kovacevic sealed the fate of Thomas Schaff's men three minutes from time, courtesy of another Vander blunder. The win put Olympiakos in charge of Group C on 4 points, leading Real Madrid on goal difference. Lazio are in third place with 2 points while Bremen lie in last place with no points.
