Internet Desk: Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to go through to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey for a seventh consecutive time 6-2 on aggregate as former Manchester City midfielder Denis Suarez was twice on target in a 5-2 triumph over La Liga outfit Real Sociedad on Thursday.
Luis Enrique’s men were already up 1-0 from the first leg, Barcelona gave Sociedad a monumental task to climb as Denis Suarez finished off a great combined move with the only real chance of the first-half before Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot.
Juanmi and Willian Jose kept Sociedad in the game with two great strikes for the visitors either side of Luis Suarez’s third for Barca before Arda Turan and Denis Suarez rounded off the rout.
The 28-time winners join Atletico Madrid, Alaves and Celta Vigo, who dumped out Real Madrid on Wednesday, in Friday’s semi-final draw.
Barca boss Luis Enrique took no risks with his team selection as all of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez started, whilst Gerard Pique returned at the back after being rested for the 4-0 win at Eibar on Sunday.
One moment of magic lit up a first-half otherwise devoid of goalmouth action as after registering his first Barca goal at the weekend, Denis Suarez’s purple patch continued.
Samuel Umtiti robbed Xabi Prieto deep inside the Sociedad half and from there Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez combined to tee up his namesake for a first time finish into the far corner.
Sociedad had a huge chance to get back into the tie nine minutes into the second period when Jose fired too close to Jasper Cillessen with just the Dutch international to beat from 10 yards out.
And within seconds any lasting hope Sociedad had was gone as Neymar accelerated in behind the visitors’ defence and was cynically hacked down by Inigo Martinez with the defender lucky to escape with just a yellow card.
Messi had handed responsibility from the spot to Neymar in each of Barca’s last two Cup outings, but stepped up himself to register his 29th goal in just 27 games this season.
Sociedad were briefly given a glimmer of hope when substitute Juanmi took advantage of a glaring gap in the centre of the Barca defence to lob Cillessen.
Barca immeditately responded, though, as Messi shrugged off three Sociedad challenges to release Luis Suarez to slot his 20th goal of the season under Geronimo Rulli.
Yet, that once again just kicked Barca back up a gear as Arda Turan tapped home Aleix Vidal’s cross minutes after replacing Neymar Jr. before Lionel Messi teed up Denis Suarez for his second of the night.