Suarez Brace Sends Barca Into Copa del Rey Final

By Max Wise

Luis Suarez scored a brace and forced an own goal as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday to advance to the finals of the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona thus qualify 4-1 on aggregate to try and defend a trophy they have monopolized for the past three seasons.

After a goalless first half which the hosts clearly dominated the game sprung into life in the second half.

Luis Suarez, five minutes after the break, edged Barcelona ahead on the night and on aggregate against the run of play.

The Uruguayan blasted home the opener from about 14 yards out after French world cup winner Ousmane Dembele's cross from the left.

Ter Stergen produced a stunning save in the 63rd minute to keep out Reguilon's header from a Vinicius Junior cross.

Barcelona showed their clinical side once more in the 69th minute to double their lead as Varane's desperate attempt to keep Dembele's cross from reaching Suarez ended up in his own goal.

Two minutes later Suarez put the result beyond the reach of the hosts after Casemiro brought him down in the penalty box for a spot kick.

The Uruguayan picked himself up and executed a brilliant panenka penalty to leave goalkeeper Keylor Navas absolutely bamboozled.