Barcelona stroll into semi-final after thrashing Real Sociedad

Barcelona secured their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals with an emphatic 6-2 aggregate victory over Real Sociedad, setting up a potential meeting with Atletico Madrid.

There were goals from each Suarez in the Catalan team – Denis (2) and Luis – which sandwiched a Lionel Messi strike from the penalty spot. Real Sociedad had their opportunities in front of goal, but it wasn’t until the second half, when it was too late, that they made an impression on the contest.

Juanmi scored for the away side in the 62nd minute, just before Luis Suarez’s effort, before Willian Jose clawed another back with 15 minutes to go, giving the visitors hope that they could pull off an unlikely comeback.

However, this only seemed to spur Barcelona into action, with Arda Turan and Denis Suarez both adding further strikes to complete the comprehensive win after last week’s 1-0 victory at the Anoeta. Luis Enrique’s side will now face Alaves, Atletico Madrid or Celta Vigo in the final four.

Early diagnosis suggests Sergio Busquets will be out for four to six weeks through injury, and so Javier Mascherano was used as the midfield anchor for this match. It’s a role that might become his over the next month or so. Can the Argentine hold Barcelona’s midfield together in the mean time? This performance suggests he is a little rusty playing in the centre.

It has taken time for the summer signing to come to the boil at Barcelona, but Denis finally looks like he belongs at the club. He has now found the net three times in his last two appearances, but his performance against La Real was about more than just goals. With Andres Iniesta and Busquets missing he controlled the middle of the pitch, showing to Enrique that he deserves his place in the first team.

Barcelona: Cillessen 5, Roberto 6, Pique 6, Umtiti 5, Alba 7, Mascherano 6, Denis 8, Gomes 5, Neymar 6, Suarez 6, Messi 7. Subs - Rakitic 5, Turan 6, Vidal 6.

Real Sociedad: Rulli 6, Elustondo 6, Navas 5, Martinez 6, Yuri 5, Prieto 5, Illarremendi 7, Zurutuza 6, Vela 5, Jose 7, Oyarzabal 6. Subs - Odriozola 5, Canales 7, Juanmi 7.

17’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Real Sociedad: The hosts have the opener! Suarez dinked the ball on to Denis who made no mistake in finding the bottom corner of the Sociedad net with a low finish.

54’ WHAT A SAVE! First it's Vela who sees his effort saved by Cillessen, then the Barcelona makes an incredible save from Jose, who really should have found the net. What an opportunity!

56’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Real Sociedad: And that should be that for Barcelona. Messi steps up to the 12 yard mark and finds the bottom corner of the Real Sociedad net with a low finish.

64’ GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad: Real Sociedad have clawed a goal back! Juanmi was played in on the Barcelona goal and he did an excellent job of lobbing Cillessen. Great finish!

66’ GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Real Sociedad: The visitors' slim hopes of a fightback have been ended after just a minute. Suarez holds off the challenge of Illarramendi and pokes a finish under Rulli.

77’ GOAL! Barcelona 3-2 Real Sociedad: This is getting a little interesting now. Jose gets on the end of a cross into the area and powers a header down into the ground and past Cillessen.

81’ GOAL! Barcelona 4-2 Real Sociedad: Okay, so that goal should finally finish this contest. Vidal picks out Turan at the back post with a low cross and the Turkish international is on hand to finish.

83’ GOAL! Barcelona 5-2 Real Sociedad: Barcelona have scored a second goal in the space of about a minute! Messi threaded a brilliant pass through to Denis, who rounds Rulli and finishes into the empty net.

Arda Turan has scored more goals than any other La Liga midfielder this season (in all competitions).

Lionel Messi has scored 29 goals this season, at least 10 more than any other La Liga player (in all competitions).

Luis Suarez has contributed 51 assists for Barcelona, more than any other La Liga player since his debut (in all competitions).

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