Aspas bags brace as Barcelona stunned by Celta Vigo

Barcelona's 100 percent start to the Liga season came to an abrupt end as Celta Vigo inflicted a sensational - and well deserved - 4-1 defeat on the Spanish and European champions.

After fielding something of an experimental side in the weekend’s win over Levante, Luis Enrique opted for a full-strength lineup at the Balaidos. However, Celta Vigo dominated the contest - particularly in the opening 45 minutes - taking a well-earned and fully warranted 2-0 lead into the half-time break.

Barcelona’s second half resurgence never materialised, with the former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas bagging his second on a breakaway counter attack. Neymar gave the Catalans a lifeline with 10 minutes left to play, but John Guidetti netted a fourth to complete a chastening night for the champions.

The result means Real Madrid can join Celta Vigo at the top of La Liga with a win against Athletic Bilbao - as Barca and Atletico Madrid trail - with Enrique's side continuing to struggle for traction in the opening few weeks of the season.

5’ GOOD CHANCE FOR ASPAS! The former Liverpool striker catches Barcelona cold from the off and finds some space in behind the defence, but he drags his shot wildly wild. That's gone for a throw in!

12’ TACKLE: Pique is called upon to make a crucial interception! The Barcelona centre-back has to stretch to cut out the pass across the box which was set to find the unmarked Aspas at the back post.

16’ MESSI SHOT AT GOAL! The Argentine beats the offside trap and finds space in the channel before firing off a shot at the near post - but Alvarez is on hand to make the stop.

23’ GOOD SAVE FROM ALVAREZ! Suarez threads a greta little pass into the channel for Neymar to run on to, and the Brazilian shoots low at goal. However, the Celta keeper pulls off the save.

26’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 1 Barcelona 0: Their early pressure has paid off! What an incredible goal! Nolito finds the top corner with a measured, curling shot from the left side of the penalty area. Great finish.

30’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 2 Barcelona 0: And the hosts have a second goal! Terrible defending from Pique releases Aspas clean through on goal, who flips a cool chip over the head of Ter Stegen to find the net.

42’ CHANCE FOR A THIRD CELTA VIGO GOAL! Nolito plays the ball out to Augusto, who has a clean shot at goal from about eight yards out - but he can only blast the ball over the bar.

44’ WHAT A TACKLE FROM AUGUSTO! Neymar manages to break through the packed Celta Vigo defence, but just when it looks like he might find the net Augusto makes the block!

54’ THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THREE! Aspas races through on goal once again, but this time he slides his shot just past the post. He should have found the net! Barcelona should be three down.

55’ OFF THE POST FROM MESSI! Iniesta dribbles through the Celta Vigo backline and squares a pass for Messi, whose low left-footed shot hits the post and bounces clear. That was close.

56’ PIQUE HEADS JUST OVER! The Barcelona centre-back is up from the back for the freekick, meets the delivery from Iniesta but only succeeds in heading over the target. Good effort.

57’ MESSI DRAWS AN EXCELLENT SAVE! The Barcelona number 10 finds himself with space down the left channel, smashes a shot at goal but Alvarez is alert to make the near post stop.

58’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 3 Barcelona 0: The home side are now three goals up! Aspas breaks away on the counter attack, racing clean through on goal - and the former Liverpool striker takes his finish well, finding the bottom corner.

66’ WHAT A CHANCE FOR A FOURTH! Barcelona are once again caught on the counter attack, with Nolito breaking into the box - but from a tight angle he shoots across goal and wide of the far post.

69’ HUGE SAVE FROM ALVAREZ! Messi threads through a lovely pass to Neymar, who shoots powerfully and with purpose at goal - but the Celta Vigo keeper is on hand to make another great stop.

80’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 3 Barcelona 1: The Liga champions have a lifeline! Messi plays a great ball over the top to find Neymar, who turns and slips a well-taken finish under the goalkeeper.

83’ BIG CHANCE FOR MUNIR! Messi picks out Munir straight through the centre with an excellent pass, but the youngster can only poke his finish past the post on the stretch. That should have been a second.

84’ GOAL! Celta Vigo 4 Barcelona 1: And that will be that! Mallo picks out Guidetti with an excellent cross, and the striker finishes under Ter Stegen.

With five to his name already, Nolito has scored more goals than any other player in La Liga this season.

Barcelona conceded two goals in a first half of a Liga game for the first time under Luis Enrique.

Before tonight Celta Vigo had not beaten Barcelona by three or more goals since December 1957.

Luis Enrique’s side came into this fixture with a 100 percent Liga record, but there have been signs this season that Barcelona are struggling to replicate their barnstorming form of last season. This was the first time that it all manifested itself at the same time, though. Barca looked vulnerable at the back, short of control in midfield and toiled for creativity and invention in the final third. Injuries haven’t helped their cause, but Enrique has work to do to patch up his side’s weaknesses for the time being.

Iago Aspas might have caused most damage on the Liga champions - scoring twice on two rapid counter attacks - but it was the former Barcelona youngster, Nolito, who orchestrated Celta Vigo’s astonishing win. The 28-year-old has been linked with a move back to Catalunya of late, and this performance will only make his case even stronger. Enrique might not feel like leaving the Balaidos without the striker signed on a contract to join in January.

Celta Vigo - Alvarez 7, Mallo 7, Cabral 6, Gomez 6, Jonny 6, Radoja 7, Augusto 8, Wass 7, Orellana 7, Nolito 9, Aspas 8. Subs - Planas 5, Hernandez 5, Guidetti 6.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 5, Alves 4, Pique 4, Mascherano 5, Mathieu 5, Busquets 5, Roberto 6, Iniesta 4, Messi 5, Neymar 6, Suarez 5. Subs - Munir 5, Rakitic 5.