A brace from Luis Suarez along with strikes from Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Philippe Coutinho helped the Catalan side to the most comfortable of victories at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
The holders came out swinging from the off, going close as Lionel Messi - attempting to equal Telmo Zarra’s record of scoring in five Copa del Rey finals - drew a flying save from David Soria from a free-kick.
With just 14 minutes on the clock Barca were ahead, with Jasper Cillessen of all people playing a key role in the goal. The goalkeeper pinged a long ball forward and Philippe Coutinho was able to scamper away unchallenged before drawing Soria and dinking the ball over him for Suarez to convert from close range.
It was a dream start for Barca, but the Andalusians did briefly threaten as response as Joaquin Correa fluffed a volley after being found by Mudo Vazquez and Steven N’Zonzi failed to make telling contact with Jesus Navas’ dangerous low ball in from the right.
However, that pressure was fleeting and Barcelona soon seized the initiative once again, with Andres Iniesta seeing a fierce effort from range crash back off the crossbar after it took a nick off Messi.
- Messi making more history -
The Argentine made amends on the hour mark though as he fired into the roof of the net after a fine back-heeled pass from Jordi Alba down the left to double the lead and match Zarra’s record.
April 21, 2018
With just five minutes to go before half-time Suarez all but put the game to bed. The Uruguayan took possession on halfway and spun his man before feeding Messi. Messi returned the ball from whence it came first time, sending Suarez clear and he duly slotted past Soria to make it 3-0 at the break.
- Continued dominance after the break -
Despite Vincenzo Montella changing his system at the break Barca's dominance continued and withing seven minutes of the restart it was 4-0.
Suarez reclaimed possession and found Iniesta, who exchanged passes with Messi before selling Soria a beautiful dummy and rolling the bal into the empty net from the narrowest of angles.
Everton loanee Sandro Ramirez could have scored a consolation when he was denied by Cillessen after being put in down the left but that was all it was ever going to be as Barca ran riot.
Coutinho got in on the act with 21 minutes remaining, slotting home from the penalty spot after Clement Lenglet had handled Luis Suarez's through ball.
Ernesto Valverde's side cruised to victory from there on in as they maintained their status as "kings of the cup".
April 21, 2018