Messi and Suarez give Barcelona Copa win over Atletico

Barcelona will take a narrow 2-1 lead into the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid, with goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi giving them the win.

Diego Simeone’s side suffered an atrocious start to the match, conceding within seven minutes when Suarez surged through the home defence to flick a finish past Miguel Angel Moya. Messi added a second before the break to give Barca a commanding lead.

The introduction of Fernando Torres at the interval changed the dynamic of the match, though, with Antoine Griezmann clawing a goal back for the hosts before the hour-mark. Torres continued to cause problems for the Catalans, with Jasper Cillessen playing his side into trouble on more than one occasion with his passing out from the back.

Atletico Madrid gave themselves too much to do, though, as Barca saw out a 2-1 win to take into next week’s second leg at the Camp Nou.

While Atletico Madrid somewhat redeemed themselves in the second half, they are still facing an exit from the Copa del Rey. That was their most realistic chance of winning silverware this season, with their Liga form far from excellent at the moment. Atletico seem to have lost their identity as a team over the past six months or so, with Barca exposing that in the opening 45 minutes. So has Simeone’s time as manager at the Vicente Calderon ran its course?

Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid): The veteran striker was only on the pitch for 45 minutes, but he changed the dynamic of the whole match in that time. Torres gave Atletico Madrid the drive and energy they had so desperately lacked in the first half, creating space for others and pressing high up the pitch, forcing Barcelona into mistakes. Torres was the difference for the hosts. He must surely start next week’s second leg.

Atletico Madrid - Moya 7, Vrsaljko 6, Godin 6, Savic 5, Luis 7, Juanfran 5, Gabi 5, Koke 5, Saul 6, Carrasco 5, Griezmann 7. Subs - Torres 8, Gaitan 5, Gameiro 5.

Barcelona - Cillessen 4, Roberto 5, Pique 5, Umtiti 7, Alba 5, Mascherano 6, Gomes 6, Rakitic 7, Messi 6, Neymar 7, Suarez 7. Subs - Denis 5, Rafinha 5.

7’ GOAL! Atletico Madrid 0-1 Barcelona: Barcelona have the opener at the Vicente Calderon! Suarez dances through the Atletico Madrid defence and flicks a finish past Moya in the goal. What a goal!

34’ GOAL! Atletico Madrid 0-2 Barcelona: That's a belter of a goal! Barcelona have a two goal advantage. Messi lined up the shot from about 20 yards out and arrows the ball into the top corner. Wow!

57’ GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona: Atletico Madrid have a goal and a route back into this match! Godin heads a freekick across goal at the back post, with Griezmann nodding home from close range.

64’ NEYMAR WILL MISS THE SECOND LEG! The Brazilian picks up a yellow card for a foul on Juanfran, and that means the Brazilian will be suspended for next week's match.

85’ WHAT IS HE DOING? That's three times now that Cillessen has played his team into trouble with ill-judged passes on the edge of his own box. This time Griezmann shoots just wide.