Spanish giants Barcelona have taken a huge step towards another Copa del Rey final following a 2-1 first leg win over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.

The Catalans were flawless in the first 45 minutes of Wednesday’s encounter and only need 6 minutes to open the scoring when a brilliant run-and-finish from Luiz Suarez made it 1-0 for the visitors.

Argentinean ace Leonel Messi then doubled Barca’s advantage with a venomous strike from the edge of the penalty area, leaving Atletico with a mountain to climb.

The hosts, however, managed to pull one back after the break through Antoine Griezmann but Luis Enrique’s men held on to win the match 2-1 and stay on course in reaching a fourth final in as many seasons.