Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal became a mere footnote as the Blaugrana thrashed their opposition in the return leg, 5-2.
Lionel Messi registered a goal and two assists, Luis Suarez added a goal and a fantastic assist of his own, while Denis Suarez benefited from the vision of his teammates to score two. Arda Turan was also on the scoresheet for Barcelona.
Just under 60,000 supporters attended the match at the Camp Nou — capacity 99,354. As 28-time winners of the competition, perhaps the quarterfinal stage doesn’t exactly set pulses racing in the Catalonia capital, but the football on display was absolutely magical.
Denis Suarez opened the scoring for Barca in the 17th minute after a fantastic flick from Luis Suarez comfortably set him up.
GOAL! @FCBarcelona take the lead thanks in big part to a sublime @LuisSuarez9 flick. Also, that's 2 in 2 for @DenisSuarez6! #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/BzZh9d5Vxc
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 26, 2017
That was all the scoring for the first 45, but a ridiculous second half featured six goals between the sides. Messi put Barca up 3-0 on aggregate from the spot after Neymar drew a penalty.
GOAL! Inigo Martinez chops down @neymarjr. Ref points to the spot. @TeamMessi does the rest! #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/8SWZYbRqcL
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 26, 2017
In the 62nd minute, Juanmi pulled one back for the visitors.
Super sub Juanmi catches @FCBarcelona's backline napping to breathe life back into @RealSociedadEN. #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/tRomQ0AaBU
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 26, 2017
Messi then worked hard to win the ball back and setup Luis Suarez for a goal in the 63rd minute.
.@TeamMessi and @LuisSuarez9 put an end to the Basques' plan of a Camp Nou insurrection. #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/yplNiDvLl6
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 26, 2017
A towering header from Real Sociedad’s Willian Jose in the 73rd minute made it 4-2 on aggregate.
Now that's how you head a ball! @willianjose19 finds the back of the @FCBarcelona net for the second time this season. pic.twitter.com/TEjRKmA7IJ
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 26, 2017
Turan scored Barca’s fourth in the 80th minute, turning in a great cross Aleix Vidal.
GOAL! Vidal fizzes an inviting ball to the back stick and @ArdaTuran just isn't the type of guy to turn on of them down. 4-2 #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/bETQBXHLH0
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 26, 2017
Barcelona’s fifth and final goal came in the 82nd minute from Denis Suarez. Messi again was the provider, dribbling through the Sociedad defense before sliding a pass through to Suarez.
Composed finish from @DenisSuarez6 but those @TeamMessi skills... . #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/CDwLs6qBWK
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 26, 2017
The semifinals will now be contested between Barcelona, Alaves, Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo.
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