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Messi pulls Barcelona out of a mess

The star-packed, reigning Champions League winner, FC Barcelona, rescued a 1-1 draw against Bremen in Germany on Wednesday, with another less than impressive show. The club needed substitute Lionel Messi to enter the game and reignite them, equalizing in the 89th minute for the defending champions, after a spectacular play he set up with the help of his teammate Deco.

Bremen clearly dominated the early part of the game, attacking the goal two minutes into the game and pressing the visiting team`s defense. Barcelona replied on several occasions with strikes by Ronaldinho, Eto and Giuly. But it was Bremen that went ahead, taking a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute when captain Carles Puyol diverted a shot into his own net.

The 89th minute saw substitute Messi lead a spectacular 1-2 move with Deco that left him in front of the Bremen goalie for an easy tip to the right corner. Spanish champion Barcelona beat Bremen in both group games last season and went on to win the Champions League trophy. After two games, the Spaniards sit second in the group with four points, Bremen is third (one point) and Sofia is fourth (winless in its first two games).