MADRID -- Luis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday to reach the Copa del Rey final for the sixth season in a row.
Suarez opened the scoring in the 50th minute, firing home inside the area after good work from Jordi Alba and Ousmane Dembele.
Barca doubled their lead when Raphael Varane turned Dembele's cross into his own net, and Suarez put the gloss on the win from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Casemiro.
Positives
Barca's love story with the Copa del Rey continues. Not only are they into their sixth successive final, but they are looking to win the competition for a fifth consecutive year. Standing in their way in May's final will be either Valencia or Real Betis.
Progress in the cup means Ernesto Valverde's side remain alive in all three competitions, too. With a seven-point lead at the top of La Liga and Lyon to come in the Champions League, the treble remains on.
Negatives
The Catalans rode their luck at times at the Bernabeu. They were once again indebted to a number of saves from Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The three-goal win certainly flattered them as they only had two shots on target!
That said, they also showed plenty of perseverance and patience, striking on the break to wrap up the tie in 23 second-half minutes. And the good news? There's another Clasico on Saturday, this time in La Liga.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- Valverde's side were second best in the first half and conceded too many chances, Vinicius in particular were a constant threat for Madrid. The coach didn't make changes to swing the game in his side's favour, but some quality from Suarez and Dembele did eventually see Barca through in the end.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating.)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 9 -- Made saves from Vinicius, Karim Benzema and Sergio Reguilon to keep the score goalless, proving the platform for Barca's smash and grab at the other end.
DF Nelson Semedo, 6 -- The right-back had the tough task of dealing with live-wire Vinicius. Was unable to keep the Brazilian quiet, but certainly didn't look out of place.
DF Gerard Pique, 6 -- Led from the back but often struggled to know how best to cope with the speed of Vinicius and the guile of Benzema.
DF Clement Lenglet, 6 -- Made a number of important contributions -- such as one block on Vinicius -- but was also part of a defence that conceded several chances.
DF Jordi Alba, 7 -- Defended well against Lucas Vazquez and was brilliant in the build-up to the opening goal.
MF Sergio Busquets, 6 -- Produced one brilliant block on Vinicius after the teenager had skinned Pique, but still not quite at his best in midfield.
MF Sergi Roberto, 6 -- Provided more of a backing role than anything else in a low-key, if productive, performance as the third midfielder.
MF Ivan Rakitic, 6 -- Perhaps the best of Barca's trio of midfielders. Links well with the attack and is always well-positioned in defence.
FW Lionel Messi, 6 -- Not the finest of his 40 Clasicos but was still a threat when he got the ball, drawing Madrid players to him.
FW Luis Suarez, 8 -- The Uruguayan's form has been more cold than hot in recent weeks, but he once again turned up when it mattered. Followed up his hat trick against Madrid in the league earlier this season with an incisive opening goal and a cheeky Panenka penalty. Forced the second goal, too, by pressing Varane, who deflected Dembele's cross into his own net.
FW Ousmane Dembele, 7 -- Took a while to warm up and was loose in possession at times but made the difference after the break by setting up Barca's first two goals.
Substitutes
FW Philippe Coutinho, N/R -- Came on with the game won in place of Dembele.
MF Arturo Vidal, N/R -- Given the final few minutes to allow Suarez a breather ahead of Saturday.
MF Arthur, N/R -- A token appearance at the end on his return from injury.