By SBI SOCCER

In Wednesday’s clash between Barcelona and Celta Vigo, Iago Aspas turned out to be the best player on the field.

The Spanish striker netted a brace while leading his team to a 4-1 upset of Barcelona on Wednesday at Estadio Balaidos. The loss is Barcelona’s first defeat of the La Liga campaign and it snapped an 18-game league unbeaten streak dating back to last season.

In addition, the loss is Barca’s worst since May 2008 at Real Madrid, a streak of 273 games.

After seeing Nolito open the scoring for Celta in the 26th minute, Aspas added a second four minutes later by chipping Marc-Andre Ter Stegen following a Gerard Pique blunder. Aspas added a second in the 56th minute by once again darting past the Barca defense for another breakaway finish.

Neymar added a consolation in the 80th minute, but a goal from John Guidetti three minutes later put an exclamation mark on a dominant Celta Vigo win.

In other La Liga action, Karim Benzema led Real Madrid to victory, netting a brace in a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Here are some more of Wednesday evening’s news and notes:

SWISS OFFICIAL REQUESTS VALCKE’S EMAILS FROM FIFA

Jerome Valcke may currently suspended from his role with FIFA, but that doesn’t mean his story with the organization is anywhere near complete.

Switzerland’s attorney general has called for FIFA to hand over emails used by Valcke, who was implicated last week in a plot to sell World Cup tickets for well above face value.

“I can confirm that we now want to have access to these sealed email accounts,” said the attorney general’s spokesman, Andre Marty.”The OAG [Office of the Attorney General] asked FIFA to deliver all information coming from Mr. Valcke’s multiple email accounts.”

Marty went on to add that ,”FIFA didn’t deliver this email information” to this point.

FIFA, meanwhile, says that the organization is “committed to cooperating with the authorities and this is an ongoing process.”

 

FLAMINI LEADS ARSENAL PAST TOTTENHAM IN CAPITAL ONE CUP

An unlikely hero led the way as Arsenal topped North London rivals Tottenham on Wednesday.

Mathieu Flamini, who scored just one goal all of last season, netted a brace to lead Arsenal to a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash.

Flamini opened the scoring by finishing a rebound int he 26th minute before seeing Tottenham draw level in the 56th minute on a Callum Chambers own goal. The French midfielder proceeded to step up yet again, smashing a shot past Tottenham goalkeeper Michael Vorm in the 78th minute to secure advancement.

Fellow Premier League powerhouse Chelsea cruised past Wallsall, 4-1, in their Cup clash, while Manchester United registered a 3-0 victory over Ipswisch Town on goals from Wayne Rooney, Andreas Pereira, and Anthony Martial.

QUICK KICKS:

Liverpool’s Christian Benteke will miss two weeks with a hamstring injury. (REPORT)

Switzerland has approved the extradition of Venezuelan official Rafael Esquivel as part of the ongoing FIFA bribery investigation. (REPORT)

The Premier League has been ranked fourth in fan value due to the league’s high ticket prices. (REPORT)

FIFA has rejected Barcelona’s attempt to add Arda Turan to the team’s roster. (REPORT)

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Any concerns over Barca’s latest performance? What do you think of the latest news in the Valcke investigation? What do you take away from the Arsenal win?

Share your thoughts below.