Copa del Rey - Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 3 (Agg 1-4) Match Report
Luis Suarez stars as Catalans seal place in Copa del Rey final with 3-0 (4-1 Agg) win over Real Madrid
Barcelona are into the Copa del Rey final for the sixth year in a row after a 3-0 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday sealed a 4-1 aggregate semi-final victory.
Luis Suarez scored twice in the second half either side of a Raphael Varane own goal to send the Catalans through and keep their treble hopes alive.
Madrid had gone into the second leg with a slight edge following a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou, but they failed to best Marc-Andre ter Stegen with some clear-cut chances in the first half.
Vinicius Junior was the biggest attacking threat in some cagey opening minutes, seeing a shot well blocked by Ter Stegen after earlier having a penalty appeal waved away.
Ter Stegen again came to Barca's rescue 10 minutes before the break, denying Karim Benzema on the half-volley, before Vinicius steered the ball over the bar from Sergio Reguilon's low cross.
However, 50 minutes in, Barca's attack finally came to life. Ousmane Dembele raced away from Dani Carvajal and cut the ball back for Suarez, who side-footed first time past Keylor Navas at the left-hand post.
Ter Stegen made a flying save to keep out Reguilon's header as Madrid stepped up their urgency in pursuit of an equaliser, but the result was put beyond them 69 minutes in when a sliding Varane turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Suarez.
With hope draining from among the home fans, Suarez rubbed salt into their wounds with a chipped penalty four minutes later, leaving Madrid out of the competition and no doubt eager to avenge the defeat in Saturday's LaLiga showdown.
Live Updates
Goal! Bad to worse for Los Blancos here! Casemiro fouls Luis Suarez and it's a penalty! The Uruguayan steps up and Panenkas the ball into the net! A hat-trick and Barca are in the Copa del Rey final!
Goal! Game over! Dembele crosses towards Suarez and Real defender Raphael Varane turns the ball into his own net! Barca have a 3-1 aggregate lead!
Chance! Real are ramping up the pressure here! Vinicius runs at pace at the Barca backline, his shot is deflected wide!
Chance! Reguilón is denied by the fingertips of ter Stegen! Real Inches away from levelling the tie!
Goal! Luis Suarez strikes! Dembele picks out the Uruguayan who makes no mistake!
Chance! Benzema heads just over!
Chance! Vinicius picks up the ball in the box! The snapshot flies just over!
Chance! Karim Benzema is denied by the feet of Marc-André ter Stegen! What a reaction save from the Barca stopper!
Close! Dembele drills in a delightful cross, a Barca player can't get the decisive touch!
Chance! Vinicius smashes the ball over the bar from close range!
Chance! Luis Suarez is picked out at the back post, a rather lame cross come shot happens.
Preamble
Messi is starting his 40th El Clasico! He's been quite good...
👑#Messi is appearing in #ElClásico number 4⃣0⃣!
Which was the most memorable for you? pic.twitter.com/pxVPD3Sz5e — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 27, 2019
Now for Barca! Messi starts (No Suprise) No Umtiti, Clément Lenglet slots in at centre back.
🔵🔴 Barça XI
⚽#ElClásico
🏆#CopaBarça pic.twitter.com/8oUdCe1bEl — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 27, 2019
Team news time! Sergio Ramos returns to the side, Bale is on the bench and Navas comes in between the sticks!
📝 Our #RMClasico XI! ¡Vamos! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/r4Rmlnf5cd — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 27, 2019
Although Valverde is taking part in his 100th game of Barca coach. Which is nice.
#Valverde will manage @FCBarcelona for his 100th game tonight.#ElClasico #beINElClasico pic.twitter.com/KBYNwqucpM — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 27, 2019
So Ernesto Valverde ain't too sure what will happen in both games, but has insisted he will be treating them "separately" does that mean a weakened side tonight?!
Two clasicos in four days! Is one more important than the other? #ElClasico #beINElClasico pic.twitter.com/twTJ77PhGU — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 27, 2019
Rest easy Barca fans, Leo Messi has the captain's armband for tonight! I have a sneaky feeling he might be starting, team news to come!
📍 Santiago Bernabéu
Ready for the 🏆!
🔵🔴#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/xhmQtYr3MW — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 27, 2019
So history is favouring Real Madrid tonight, interesting! Los Blancos certainly have the home advantage!
8 - This will be the eight time that @realmadriden and @FCBarcelona have met in Copa del Rey semi-finals. Real Madrid progressed four times, including the last two in a row. Tend.#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/LA78ExhtlW — OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 27, 2019
So here we go! Just over an hour to go before the first El Clasico in four days! The Real Madrid dressing room is looking spick and span!
👕👌 Everything's ready for the players in the dressing room ahead of the #RMClasico!
🔵 @NIVEAMEN_ES | #Prepare4Anything pic.twitter.com/lsqaeAvoIg — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 27, 2019
Good evening! Fancy a slice of mid-week El Classico action? Of course, you do! Real Madrid takes on Barcelona in the semi-final second leg of the Copa del Rey. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, so there is plenty to play for tonight at the Santiago Bernebau. As ever, you can join me for all the build-up, team news and goals as they go in from the big match!
