Three sent off as Barcelona reach Copa final with Atleti draw

Barcelona edged into the final of the Copa del Rey for the fourth consecutive season, despite being reduced to nine men in a 1-1 semi-final second leg draw with Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone opted for a more attacking approach having lost the first leg at the Vicente Calderon 2-1, with Atleti dominating much of the first half, but against the run of play it was the Catalans who opened the scoring when Luis Suarez tucked home a finish on the rebound from Lionel Messi’s initial shot.

Atletico rallied once again in the second half though, with Barcelona reduced to 10 men when Sergi Roberto was shown a second yellow. The visitors’ advantage was cancelled out when Yannick Carrasco was also booked for the second time.

Kevin Gameiro blasted a penalty kick over the bar before Antoine Griezmann set up the French striker for a simple finish from close range with just seven minutes left to play.

A grandstand finish saw Luis Suarez also dismissed, but Atleti couldn’t find the goal to take the tie to extra time, with Barca setting a Copa del Rey final date where they will face either Celta Vigo or Alaves, who play on Wednesday evening.

Did referee Jesus Gil Manzano cost Atletico Madrid the tie? This match could have turned out very differently had Griezmann’s goal on the hour-mark stood. The strike from the Frenchman was incorrectly chalked off for offside, with referee Jesus Gil Manzano showing no fewer than three red cards over the course of the match, as well as awarding Atletico a penalty. So did the referee have too much of an influence on this tie? Should Atleti feel aggrieved at some of his decisions?

Andre Gomes (Barcelona): The midfielder has struggled since making the move to Barcelona in the summer, but this was Andres Gomes’ best performance for the Catalans so far. There were still a few ropey moments in front of his own penalty area, but the Portuguese midfielder was crucial in setting up Luis Suarez’s opener, giving Barca drive and energy through the middle of the pitch.

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

Atletico Madrid - Moya 5, Juanfran 6, Savic 6, Godin 6, Filipe 6, Saul 6, Koke 6, Carrasco 4, Gaitan 6, Griezmann 7, Torres 6. Subs - Gameiro 6, Lucas 6, Correa 5.

9’ WHAT A CHANCE! Carrasco worked the shooting space by shifting the ball on to his right foot about 10 yards out, but he aimed his effort straight at Cillessen. What an opportunity that was.

43’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Atletico Madrid: They don't deserve it, but Barcelona have taken the lead! Messi dribbled along the edge of the box, forcing a diving save from Moya, but Suarez was on hand to finish into the empty net.

58’ SENT OFF! Sergi Roberto (Barcelona). The right back has been shown a second yellow card for a studs up challenge on Luis. Barcelona have been reduced to 10 men!

61’ THE GOAL SHOULD HAVE STOOD! That's another terrible decision by the match officials. Griezmann was being played onside by Pique. That goal should have stood.

72’ SENT OFF! Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid). And now Atletico have been reduced to 10 men, with Carrasco shown a second yellow card for a foul on Turan. What was he thinking?

80’ SMASHED OFF THE CROSSBAR! That would have been one of the goals of the season. Messi lined up the freekick on the edge of the box, but his driven shot comes off the woodwork.

81’ PENALTY KICK TO ATLETICO MADRID! Gameiro is brought down in the area by the sliding challenge of Pique.

82’ BLASTED OVER THE BAR! Gameiro steps up the mark and the French striker smashes the spot kick well over the target. And with that Atletico Madrid's last chance has surely gone.

84’ GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid: It might not be over just yet! Griezmann pulls the pass back for Gameiro, who has the easy task of finishing into the empty net from close range.

90’ SENT OFF! Luis Suarez (Barcelona). There's been another red card! Suarez has been shown a second yellow card for throwing an arm into the head of Koke. He will miss the final!

Sergi Roberto was sent off for the first time in his career against Atletico Madrid.

Luis Suarez saw red for the first time in his Barcelona career.

Barcelona haven't lost any of the 68 matches in which Luis Suarez has scored for them.

Before tonight, Fernando Torres had scored 11 goals against Barcelona -his favourite opponent in all competitions.