Lionel Messi netted a last-gasp equaliser for Barcelona after Carles Puyol's own goal looked to have gifted Werder Bremen a priceless victory.
Puyol's blushes were spared when substitute Messi finished neatly in the 89th minute after the Germans had held their one-goal advantage for much of the second period.
Having lost twice to the Catalans in last season's Champions League group stages, Bremen were in no mood to fold easily this time around and they carved out an opportunity as early as the second minute.