Barcelona booked their spot in the final of the 2019 Copa del Rey courtesy of a 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
The tie was delicately poised following a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Camp Nou, but Barca scored three times without reply in the second period to ease into the final once again.
Relive Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage of the action below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Real Madrid and Barcelona from the Bernabeu. Lucas Vazquez sent Real Madrid into a sixth-minute lead in the first leg earlier this month, before Malcom registered in the second period to leave the last-four tie all square at 1-1. Stay tuned for the action!
Barcelona have won the Copa del Rey in each of the last four seasons, but Los Blancos have only triumphed in this competition on two occasions since 1993. Right, team news...
TEAMS!
MADRID: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Reguilon; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Vinicius, Benzema, Lucas
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Roberto, Busquets; Messi, L Suarez, Dembele
Sergio Ramos for Nacho is the only outfield change to the Real Madrid team that started against Levante in the league at the weekend. Keylor Navas also comes in, though, replacing Thibaut Courtois between the sticks. A frustrated Gareth Bale shrugged off the celebrations of his teammates after scoring the winner at the weekend and the Welshman is again on the bench tonight, with Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez joining Karim Benzema in the final third of the field.
As for Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele replaces Philippe Coutinho in the final third, while there is a spot in central midfield for Sergi Roberto, meaning that Arturo Vidal drops out. Samuel Umtiti made his return from injury against Sevilla at the weekend, but Clement Lenglet is back in alongside Gerard Pique in central defence. Right, kickoff in El Clasico is next!
Barcelona kick things off in the Spanish capital...
... the home side are on the front foot in the opening couple of minutes; there is a real pace and intensity about their work early on as they look to take the game to the La Liga leaders.
The Copa del Rey is third on the list of priorities for Barcelona this season, but the fact that they are so close to reaching yet another final, at Real Madrid's expense, makes this is a huge game for the Catalan giants. This game is yet to settle as both teams exchange possession.
Barcelona landed their 30th crown last season and have lifted the trophy in each of the last four campaigns. What's more, they have present in all but one of the last eight finals and while Real Madrid have been enjoying European success in recent years, Barcelona have been dominating on the domestic stage. Just a reminder that a goalless draw sees Real Madrid through.
Barcelona entered this match off the back of a 4-2 win over Sevilla at the weekend. The result has left them seven points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, but they needed a quite stunning performance from Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick, to triumph.
Real Madrid have enjoyed incredible European success in recent years, but domestic trophies have been harder to find. Indeed, they have not won the Copa del Rey since 2014 and have actually only triumphed in the competition on two occasions since 1993, which is staggering. This match is 10 minutes old and not too much has happened; no opportunities here.
In terms of progression to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid have overcome Melilla, Leganes and Girona. Barcelona's progression to the semi-finals of this season's Copa del Rey, meanwhile, has taken them past Cultural Leonesa, Levante and Sevilla.
Reguilon breaks into a dangerous position for the home side before looking to deliver; his cross is blocked, but Ter Stegen carries it behind and Real Madrid have a corner kick.
Ramos does not look too comfortable for Real Madrid at the moment as he limps around. It would be a disaster if the home side had to replace their influential captain here.
PENALTY APPEAL! VAR have had a look at a possible penalty for Real Madrid. On second look, it should have been given, with Roberto clipping Vinicius inside the Real Madrid box. Big call.
Real Madrid have been the better team in the first 18 minutes, but neither goalkeeper has had to make a save. I've just seen the penalty incident again and it really was a close call.
CHANCE! Big chance for Vinicius inside the Barcelona box, but he fires too high!
Dembele misses a simple pass into Messi on the break and Real Madrid escape one there. This game is just starting to warm up as both sets of players fly into challenges here.
Just a reminder that a goalless draw sees Real Madrid through on the away-goals rule. It is very difficult to imagine that this second leg will finish 0-0, though. Modric has just attempted to release Vazquez, but luckily for Barcelona, Alba is one of the quickest defenders in the world.
CHANCE! Another big chance for the home side as the ball breaks for Vinicius inside the Barcelona box, but the Brazilian sees his effort saved by Ter Stegen. Real Madrid on top here.
Luis Suarez's form has not been great in recent weeks and the Uruguay international has already lost the ball on a few occasions. Still goalless with 26 minutes on the clock here.
This season is the first time that Real Madrid have locked horns with Barcelona in the Copa del Rey since the final of the 2013-14 competition, where Los Blancos recorded a 2-1 victory to claim the last of their 19 trophies in the competition. Can they overcome their rivals tonight?
Messi turns away from a couple of players in a white shirt, but cannot escape the attentions of Casemiro, who makes a fine challenge. The first 30 minutes have absolutely flown past here.
Dembele delivers a very dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box, but there are no takers. Suarez picks the ball up on the opposite side, but his cross is headed clear by Ramos.
All Barcelona at the moment in terms of pressure, but nothing for Courtois to save. It has not been a good first half in terms of entertainment to be brutally honest. Very tight indeed.
Vinicius again works some space in a dangerous position before attempting to slide a pass into Benzema, but Pique makes the clearance. Both defences are on top at the moment.
Tonight is the 240th competitive El Clasico. Real Madrid lead the head-to-head 95 wins to Barcelona's 93, with the remaining 51 games finishing level. Barcelona thumped Real Madrid 5-1 at Camp Nou in the league earlier this season, while the Catalan outfit recorded a 3-0 victory when they last travelled to the Bernabeu in the league in the latter stages of 2017.
SAVE! Benzema with the chance following a pass from Vinicius, but Ter Stegen makes the save. Real Madrid will feel that they should be ahead at this stage of the match.
CHANCE! Another huge chance for Vinicius! The cross into him from Reguilon is perfect, but the Brazilian fires over the crossbar from a really good position!
Barcelona are very, very fortunate to still be on level terms here.
Super defending from Semedo to block a cross from Vinicius following an excellent move from Real Madrid, who have been on top for the last five or so minutes. Still goalless, though.
Messi has just been hacked down to the ground by Kroos. Surely a yellow?!
I am not sure how, but Kroos has managed to escape a yellow for absolutely hacking Messi to the ground. Strange! Barcelona can ease the pressure, though, as we approach the break.
Dembele dances past a couple of challenges before delivering towards the far post, but Reguilon makes the clearance and that might be that for the first half of action here.
Lucas is down holding his knee in first-half injury time.
REAL MADRID 0-0 BARCELONA (1-1 ON AGGREGATE)
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. The pair are 1-1 on aggregate, with Real Madrid holding the advantage due to their away goal at Camp Nou. It has been a very tight game, but the hosts have had the better chances.
STATISTICS! Barcelona had 60% of the ball in the first period, but only managed one attempt, which was off target. Real Madrid, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their six attempts. There has incredibly not been a single yellow card despite some very tasty tackles here.
BENCH WATCH! Alena, Coutinho, Arthur, Malcom and Vidal are on a very strong Barcelona bench tonight. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have options in the shape of Bale, Asensio, Marcelo and Ceballos. Just a little bit of talent on both benches tonight, as would be expected.
KICKOFF: Real Madrid resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, there is no question that both managers will be considering alterations as the second half develops.
A goalless draw takes Real Madrid into the final of the Copa del Rey on away goals. Barcelona have not really looked like scoring tonight, but the same cannot be said for the home side.
Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area as Lenglet fells Lucas...
CHANCE! ... Benzema heads a Kroos free kick just over the crossbar!
GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-1 BARCELONA (LUIS SUAREZ)
Oh my goodness. What a huge goal that is! Barcelona take the lead on the night and indeed on aggregate as Luis Suarez finds the bottom corner from a low Dembele cross!
Real Madrid have absolutely dominated this football match, but one moment of quality from Dembele and a brilliant Luis Suarez finish has seen Barcelona take the lead in the tie.
CLOSE! Kroos flashes one over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
CLOSE! Casemiro heads a deep Kroos free kick just wide of the Barcelona post.
Excellent defending from Busquets to challenge Vinicius, who had once again driven into the Barcelona box. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining in the Spanish capital.
I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as Real Madrid continue to force the issue, which is leaving space for Barcelona on the counter-attack.
YELLOW CARD! Vazquez (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Lenglet.
CHANCE! Real Madrid have an even better opportunity as Reguilon delivers a dangerous cross towards Vazquez, but the attacker fails to convert under pressure from Alba.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Ter Stegen to keep out a header from Reguilon!
Little over 25 minutes of normal time remaining and Real Madrid really, really need a goal. Nothing much from Barcelona in terms of serious chances since they took the lead.
YELLOW CARD! Busquets (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Modric.
SAVE! Ter Stegen is on hand to keep out a low strike from Carvajal.
CLOSE! Vinicius just misses the far post with a curling effort following a wonderful run!
REAL MADRID SUB! Bale replaces Vazquez for the home side.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-2 BARCELONA (RAPHAEL VARANE OG)
Oh my word! Serious blow! Barcelona double their lead in the 69th minute as Varane turns a low Dembele cross into the back of his own net under pressure from Luis Suarez!
YELLOW CARD! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Luis Suarez. Penalty!
PENALTY! Lazy challenge from Casemiro to bring Luis Suarez to the deck!
GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-3 BARCELONA (LUIS SUAREZ, PEN)
Luis Suarez converts to make it 3-0 Barcelona. Game over!
REAL MADRID SUB! Valverde replaces Casemiro for the home side.
BARCELONA SUB! Dembele is replaced by Coutinho.
BARCELONA SUB! Vidal replaces Luis Suarez for the away side.
YELLOW CARD! Semedo (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Vinicius.
REAL MADRID SUB! Vinicius is replaced by Asensio for the home side.
The Real Madrid fans do not seem too pleased; their team played really well in the first period, but have really struggled in the second. Bale has just fired wide, but he was offside.
Bale calms for the cross on a couple of occasions and it does not arrive.
BARCELONA SUB! Arthur makes his return from injury as he comes in for Busquets.
Ter Stegen collects a cross from Carvajal as Madrid continue to press forward.
Not much from Barcelona in terms of an attack at the moment as they are more than happy to sit in and absorb. No-one could have predicted this result after watching the first period.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the match.
FULL TIME: REAL MADRID 0-3 BARCELONA (BARCELONA ADVANCE 4-1 ON AGGREGATE)
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona recording a 3-0 win to ease into the final courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate success. What a second half from the Spanish champions! Thanks for joining Sports Mole once again. Until next time!
