Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended1551306957

Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona: Luis Suarez scores cheeky Panenka to seal clasico Copa del Rey win

Barca, competition winners for the past four seasons, were held 1-1 in the first leg at the Nou Camp and were second best for large periods in the return before running out convincing 4-1 aggregate winners

Kieran Jackson
Wednesday 27 February 2019 22:28 GMT
Comments
Lionel Messi's career in 60 seconds

Your support helps us to tell the story

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Luis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona maintained their stranglehold on the Copa del Rey with a 3-0 win at Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final.

Barca, competition winners for the past four seasons, were held 1-1 in the first leg at the Nou Camp and were second best for large periods in the return before running out convincing 4-1 aggregate winners.

Suarez struck against the run of play early in the second half and after Raphael Varane’s own goal left Real a mountain to climb, the Uruguay striker converted a penalty, Panenka-style, to silence the Bernabeu.

Real banished memories of their 5-1 La Liga defeat to Barca in September by shading the first leg earlier this month, but the visitors were clinical in the Spanish capital to seal a sixth successive final appearance.

The home side were aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty by the video assistant referee in the 14th minute.

Vinicius Junior’s tumble in the penalty area after Nelson Semedo’s challenge was referred back to VAR by match official Sanchez Martinez, who had initially appeared unmoved, but play continued.

Real’s best early efforts in a frenetic opening came through Vinicius Junior, who fired over the crossbar and had another shot saved by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Vinicius’ pace was causing the visitors problems. The Brazilian set up Karim Benzema, whose shot was comfortably saved by Ter Stegen, and then fired just over after another swift Real counter.

Barca had their moments in a goalless first half without creating a clear-cut chance, but Real, clearly intent on not relying on their away goal advantage, shaded it as the pace of an end-to-end encounter was unrelenting.

Benzema headed Toni Kroos’s free-kick narrowly over soon after the restart and at the other end Gerard Pique was off target with a similar effort from Lionel Messi’s set piece.

Barca then stunned the Bernabeu by snatching the lead in the 50th minute.

Luis Suarez in action at the Bernabeu
Luis Suarez in action at the Bernabeu (AFP/Getty Images)

Suarez appeared well covered by Sergio Ramos when Ousmane Dembele’s cut back from the left reached him inside the area, but he shimmied to create space and side-footed home an emphatic finish.

The Uruguay striker maintained his impressive record at the Bernabeu by scoring his 17th goal in 18 visits.

There was no let-up. Barca were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty when Ivan Rakitic appeared to be fouled by Ramos, while Real were denied an equaliser by Ter Stegen’s brilliance as he kept out Sergio Reguilon’s header.

Vinicius went close again for the home side when his run carried him into the area, but his deflected shot curled agonisingly wide.

Barca, outplayed for long periods, then dealt Real a hammer blow with their second goal on the night.

Dembele again was the provider as his precision pass into the area from the right was turned into his own net by the sliding Varane, who was under pressure from Suarez.

Barca sealed their place in the final when Suarez was fouled by Casemiro on the left edge of the box and then dinked home his spot-kick straight down the middle.

PA

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

1551302718

62 minutes: Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona 

What a save by ter Stegen!

It's sumptuous link-up play again down the left by Vinicius and Reguilon, but this time the Brazilian sets up the Spaniard in the box, whose header looks destined for the far corner, but ter Stegen somehow manages to claw it out, diving to his left!

Deary me, surely it's only a matter of time, no?

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:25
1551302787

65 minutes: Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona

Sergio Busquets in the book now, as he hacks down Luka Modric from behind. 

No complaints from Busquets, which is rare...

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:26
1551302866

Boy does Luis Suarez love playing Real Madrid. 

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:27
1551302978

66 minutes: Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona

Dani Carvajal's driven shot is comfortably saved by ter Stegen, before a sensational solo run by Vinicius...

He beats three players, leaving two on the ground, but his shot is deflected inches wide. 

The only thing missing from Vinicius' performance is a goal - he's some talent. 

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:29
1551303025

67 minutes: Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona

Gareth Bale is on for Lucas Vazquez. 

23 minutes for the Welshman to make the difference. 

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:30
1551303047

GOAL! Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona (Varane OG' 69)

Can you believe it?!

Dembele's cross from the right is begging for a touch, and with Luis Suarez lurking, Raphael Varane turns the ball into his own net from close range. 

They don't deserve it, but Barca are two up... Real now need three, and have a mountain to climb. 

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:30
1551303243

PENALTY TO BARCELONA! 72 minutes: Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona (1-3 agg.) 

Luis Suarez wins a penalty, as Casemiro clearly trips the Uruguayan who does him with a drop of the shoulder. 

Chance for Barca to put this to bed. 

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:34
1551303344

GOAL! Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona (Suarez 73') 

That's unbelievably cheeky by Luis Suarez!

Messi leaves the penalty to Suarez, and the striker chips the ball, 'Panenka-style', down the middle as Navas dives early. 

Barca on their way to the final. 

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:35
1551303420

75 minutes: Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona (1-4 agg.) 

Changes on both sides. Coutinho on for Dembele, while Casemiro departs for Valverde.

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:37
1551303728

78 minutes: Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona

Luis Suarez, scorer of two goals, comes off for Arturo Vidal.

Kieran Jackson27 February 2019 21:42

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in