Barcelona thrash Real Sociedad to reach King’s Cup semis

Saturday, 28 January 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were on target as holders Barcelona thrashed Real Sociedad 5-2 to reach the King’s Cup semi-finals for the seventh successive year with a 6-2 aggregate victory on Thursday.

Former Manchester City trainee Denis Suarez 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 Suarez restored Barcelona’s two-goal lead on the night a minute after Juanmi had netted for Real Sociedad in the 62nd minute. Willian Jose scored a second for the visitors before substitute Arda Turan put Barcelona 4-2 ahead in the 80th minute.

Two minutes later Denis Suarez capped a brilliant individual performance by netting his second with a sweeping run and finish.

Barca join Atletico Madrid, Celta Vigo and Alaves in Friday’s semi-final draw.

Barca were without key midfielders Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta through injury so Javier Mascherano reassumed the holding midfield role he plays for Argentina and Denis Suarez filled in for the absent captain.