BARCELONA – Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez were on target as holders Barcelona thrashed Real Sociedad 5-2 to reach the King’s Cup semi-final for the seventh successive year with a 6-2 aggregate victory on Thursday.
Former Manchester City trainee Denis Suárez gave Barca a commanding lead in the tie following last week’s 1-0 win in the first leg by scoring the opener in the 17th minute, while Messi practically ended the contest by converting a penalty early in the second half after Neymar had been fouled.
Luis Suárez restored Barcelona’s two-goal lead on the night a minute after Juanmi had netted for Real Sociedad in the 62nd minute. Willian José scored a second for the visitors before substitute Arda Turan put Barcelona 4-2 ahead in the 80th minute.
Two minutes later Denis Suárez capped a brilliant individual performance by netting his second with a sweeping run and finish.
Barca join Atlético Madrid, Celta Vigo and Alavés in Friday’s semi-final draw.
RICHARD MARTIN
