Kroos and Real Madrid at the top of the table

Spanish champions Barcelona and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen crumbled on Matchday five of the Primera División. The stars from Catalonia suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo; losing 4-1. With this defeat, Messi and Co. missed out on the chance to return to the top of the table.

That spot is now occupied by league record holders Real Madrid with 14 points, who – with Toni Kroos in the starting XI – beat Augsburg’s Europa League opponents Athletico Bilbao 2-1. Vigo currently sit at second place with 13 points in front of Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, who beat FC Getafe 2-0 on Tuesday, both with twelve points.

In Celta’s first home victory over Barcelona for eleven years, Baca’s former striker Nolito put the home side ahead after 26 minutes. Iago Aspas went on to score four minutes later before completing his brace in the 59th minute. Neymar gave the visitors a glimmer of hope in the 80th minute but Swedish forward John Guidetti put the game beyond all doubt in the 83rd.

Karim Benzema scored both of Real Madrid’s goals: the first just 19 minutes in, and the second in the 70th minute, just three minutes after Sabin Merino had achieved the equaliser.

League Cup: Arsenal, Man United and Liverpool into the last sixteen

Arsenal and Manchester United have both progressed to the last sixteen of the League Cup. Arsène Wenger’s London boys won their third round tie with local rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. The Red Devils had no trouble seeing off championship side Ipswich Town and won 3-0. Liverpool on the other hand, were held at 1-1 for 120 minutes by league two side Carlisle United and only managed to win 3-2 after a penalty shoot-out.

While World Cup winner Per Mertesacker played the whole 90 minutes, Mesut Özil spent the game on the bench. Both Arsenal goals in the derby were scored by Mathieu Flamini. Spurs found their equaliser via a Calum Chambers own goal in the 56th minute but Flamini put Arsenal ahead again with 12 minutes remaining.

DFB-Team captain Bastian Schweinsteiger also played the full duration of the game for United in the defensive midfield. Wayne Rooney put the Premier League side ahead after 23 minutes. Andreas Pereira and Anthony Martial got the other two goals for United.

Danny Ings tucked away the deciding penalty for Liverpool in the shoot-out, after having already put the side ahead in the first half. Derek Asamoah equalised ten minutes later. Germany international Emre Can played the full game and also scored his penalty.

Germany U21 international Serge Gnarby’s West Bromwich Albion meanwhile lost 3-0 away to Norwich City in an all-Premier-League cup tie. The 20-year-old Arsenal loanee started the game and was brought off in the 68th minute.