Neymar stars as Barcelona see off Atletico Madrid in thriller to reach Copa semis

Neymar stars as Barcelona see off Atletico Madrid in thriller to reach Copa semis

Neymar is the poster boy for Barcelona's new style and fittingly he was the key figure as Luis Enrique's side progressed to the Copa del Rey semi-finals. 

The Brazilian is perfect for the counter-attacking football that Barcelona are learning to play on occasions like these. On six occasions last season these teams met and the Catalans failed to win a single time. But with the team playing brilliant football on the break, the attacking trident of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez was too much for Atletico to handle in a blockbuster first half.

It started with a bang, and the continued resurrection of Fernando Torres. In less than a minute the Spaniard had been put through on goal and he took the chance early, firing low, beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen and into the far corner. 

Ivan Rakitic nearly got the equaliser when his free kick was tipped away by Slovenian stopper Jan Oblak, at full stretch. But Barcelona were level when Messi fed Suarez, and his superb flicked pass helped Neymar race through on goal. The Brazilian kept a cool head and, as he has done so many times this season, finished clinically. His game has come on leaps and bounds since last season and he is becoming the player that Barcelona spend a lot of time and money trying to sign.

Only a marginal offside call prevented Neymar from adding another soon after, firing home after the whistle had blown. Antoine Griezmann had a golden opportunity to send Atletico ahead after 27 minutes, but fired straight into the hands of the grateful Ter Stegen. But Atletico were given a hand up they didn't deserve when referee Gil Manzano pointed to the spot after Javier Mascherano fouled Juanfran outside the box. 

Raul Garcia made no mistake from the spot, firing the ball beyond the despairing dive to Ter Stegen, who got close, but not close enough. But in the 38th minute, the game swung back Barcelona's way, when the usually composed Joao Miranda put through his own net, after a corner. 

With Diego Godin suspended, he was paired with Jose Gimenez, a young, talented defender, but the combination was not one Atletico have tried a lot. The ease with which Neymar, Messi and Suarez cut through the backline on occasion was not to Simeone's liking on the touchline. And especially not when Barcelona scored again.

It came in controversial fashion, when Jordi Alba handled Griezmann's strike. With Atletico appealing, Barcelona launched a counter-attack.

It was a swift, brutal move, brilliantly crafted by Messi, who instead of playing Neymar in on the right, went left, to Alba. Having charged forward from the back at full pelt, he regained his composure and slipped it back into the middle, where Neymar had darted, to tuck home.  

The last time Neymar scored against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona lifted a trophy, the Spanish Super Cup in 2013. Now they seem likely to again, easily the strongest side left in the competition.

Some believed the game was over as we hit the interval, with Atletico needing to score thrice more to advance, thanks to the away goals rule. But when just 10 men came out for the second half in red and white, we knew it was. Gabi was sent off at half-time, presumably for dissent or violent conduct in the tunnel. Things had threatened to kick off as the players marched in, with Neymar and Torres having to be kept apart

With the match killed, Barcelona resorted to their calm, controlled, death-by-possession style. 

Atletico went close when Cani forced a save from Ter Stegen, but it was a half-hearted effort in a half-hearted second half from them. 

Enrique now has his eyes firmly set on lifting the first available silverware of the season. Simeone may need to find a new way to get close to Barcelona 2.0.