Barcelona secure last-four spot after Athletic Bilbao scare

Barcelona overcame a first-half scare to secure a 3-1 (5-2 on aggregate) win over Athletic Bilbao, and a place in the semi-finals of this season’s Copa Del Rey.

Inaki Williams gave the visitors a 1-0 lead on the night, dragging Ernesto Valverde’s team back into the tie. And Athletic Bilbao could have added to their advantage too, as Barcelona struggled to find their stride in the opening 45 minutes.

But they regrouped at the break and eventually eased through the match, with goals from Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique and Neymar. Lionel Messi endured an unusually quiet evening, but ultimately Barcelona were good enough without their Argentine playmaker in top form.

The Catalans won’t face title challengers Atletico Madrid in the competition’s last four, though, as Diego Simeone’s side were knocked out earlier in the evening by Celta Vigo. Barcelona, it would seem, now have a clear run at the trophy.

12’ GOAL! Barcelona 0 Athletic Bilbao 1: The away side have the opener, and this tie is alive and well! Aduriz slots through Williams, who manages to round Ter Stegen and finish into the empty net.

23’ WHAT A CHANCE FOR A SECOND! Balenziaga's cross causes mayhem in the Barcelona box, but Susaeta completely messes up his shot when the ball falls to him. Wow, what an opportunity.

27’ HERRERIN IS REQUIRED TO PUNCH AWAY! Messi attempted to swing a freekick shot towards goal from a tight angle, but the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper was aware to the danger.

43’ CONTENTIOUS DECISION FROM THE REFEREE! Neymar was blatantly taken out by Balenziaga - who was the last man - but he only sees yellow. The ref says that Neymar was heading away from goal.

44’ NEYMAR SHOULD HAVE SCORED! The Brazilian finds his way through after a one-two with Suarez, but Herrerin comes off his line to narrow the angle and smother the shot.

54’ GOAL! Barcelona 1 Athletic Bilbao 1: And that should be that! Messi's pass somehow finds its way all the way through to Suarez at the back post, who slots his finish into the Athletic net.

82’ ANOTHER GREAT SAVE FROM HERRERIN! Pique looked to have found the net with a header from a corner kick, but the Athletic keeper pulls off the save to claw away from goal.

83’ GOAL! Barcelona 2 Athletic Bilbao 1: That will most likely be game over. Pique stays up from a set piece and heads home from close range following Alves' recycled cross into the penalty box.

85’ ALVES WITH A GOAL-SAVING SLIDE! The Brazilian full-back makes sure that Sabin doesn't get the ball at the back post. It would have been a simple finish for the Athletic man.

91’ GOAL! Barcelona 3 Athletic Bilbao 1: The result has been settled for a while now, but Neymar has the goal that he wanted so badly! He smashes a finish high into the Athletic Bilbao net. Wonderful.

With six to his name, Athletic Bilbao are the side Luis Suarez has scored most goals against since joining Barcelona.

Besides the one scored in the 2015 final, tonight saw Athletic score their first goal at Camp Nou in the Spanish Cup for the last 48 years.

For the most part, Sergi Roberto has proved himself an able deputy for Sergio Busquets in the centre of midfield this season. Not tonight, though. Without Busquets, Barcelona lacked control and it was only with the midfielder’s introduction as a second-half substitute that the hosts started to take a grip of the contest. Is he undroppable for the big occasion?

Few Barcelona players stood out this evening, but Luis Suarez always looked to most likely to find the net - so it was no surprise when he slid home the hosts’ equaliser in the second half. Some of his link-up play with Ivan Rakitic and Neymar was sublime, although the Catalans in general didn’t quite hit top form against an Athletic side that made it difficult for them.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 5, Mathieu 5, Pique 6, Vermaelen 5, Alves 6, Roberto 5, Rakitic 6, Mascherano 5, Neymar 6, Suarez 7, Messi 5. Subs - Busquets 6.

Athletic Bilbao: Herrerin 7, Lekue 5, Boveda 6, Laporte 6, Balenziaga 7, San Jose 5, Rico 6, Williams 6, Eraso 6, Susaeta 5, Aduriz 6. Subs - Benat 5, Muniain 4, Sabin 4.