Luis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona won at Real Madrid in a smash-and-grab El Clasico to reach a sixth consecutive Copa del Rey final. Real dominated with 14 shots to Barca’s four but the visitors were clinical when it mattered. Suarez smashed home Ousmane Dembele’s cross before Raphael Varane’s own goal put Barca in control. An audacious chipped penalty from Suarez after he was fouled by Casemiro put the game beyond any doubt. Both sides – who had drawn the first leg 1-1 – meet again at the Bernabeu on Saturday in La Liga.
Real Madrid knew a goalless draw would take them to a first Copa del Rey final since 2013-14 because of their away goal in the 1-1 first-leg draw at the Nou Camp. But they played like the team who wanted to score, with teenager Vinicius Jr in explosive form, especially in the first half. The Brazilian, who has been one of his team’s stars under Santiago Solari, caused defender Semedo numerous problems and had five of the seven shots in the first half – as well as a strong penalty appeal turned down. His best chance came when Ter Stegen denied him from close range, while he also lashed over twice from inside the box.
Real continued to push after Suarez’s opener as they searched for the goal which would force extra-time. Another youngster, left-back Sergio Reguilon, had their best chance with a wonderful diving header which Ter Stegen expertly saved. The other full-back, Dani Carvajal, also had a fierce drive saved by the keeper. Gareth Bale came on moments before Varane’s own goal which killed the tie and rarely had a chance as the flow of the game had changed in Barca’s favour.
Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey was their best result in the competition at the Santiago Bernabeu for 93 years. The victory moves the Catalan club ahead of Los Blancos in Copa del Rey Clasico triumphs, with 11 compared to Madrid’s 10. Madrid had won the two previous encounters, in the 2013 semi-finals and 2014 final.
You’ll have to go back to 1926 for the last time Barcelona won at Madrid in the Copa del Rey by more than three goals, during a 5-1 win in the quarter-finals at the old Estadio Chamartin. The only other time Barcelona have scored more than three goals was during a 4-2 win in the 1959 semi-finals. Madrid’s last defeat to Barcelona in the cup came in 2012 when the Blaugrana were 2-1 winners in the quarter-finals.