The Blaugranas are 90 minutes to another Copa Del Rey final after Messi, Iniesta and Pique gave them a 3-1 lead into the 2nd leg.
The Catalans entered into the game knowing the yellow submarines are ready to give a fight. However, Lionel Messi opened the scoring on 42 minutes after sending Luis Suarez’ pass into the top right corner to make Barca leaders at half time.
Villarreal started the 2nd half brighter and didn’t waste time to get the equaliser after substitute Triguerros made it 1-1 on the 48th minutes.
The visitors had barely finished celebrating when Andres Iniesta capitalized on a sloppy defending by Villarreal to make it 2-1 just under a minute after Villarreal’s equaliser.
Luis Suarez could have made it 3 for the host but Asenjo was equal to the task.
Minutes later, in-form defender Gerard Pique scored his 5th goal of the season after heading home a Messi cross to make it 3-1.
Barcelona were given the gloriest of chances to automatically finish off the tie when the referee awarded them a penalty after a handball by Villarreal in the box. Messi who was supposed to take the penalty offered Neymar the chance to cover his face from a bad game but the Brazilian’s well placed effort was beautifully saved by Asenjo.
Barcelona couldn’t get a fourth and the game ended 3-1 with the Blaugranas due to face Villarreal in the 2nd leg tie which is on March 4.
