Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao: 2017 Spanish Copa del Rey Leg 2 Score, Reaction

Each member of Barcelona's MSN trio got on the scoresheet as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar led their club to a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao to complete a round-of-16 comeback and advance to the 2016-17 Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The Catalan giants clinched a 4-3 aggregate victory after losing the first leg 2-1 at San Mames last Thursday.

Enric Saborit's intervention at the Camp Nou counted as little more than a consolation for Athletic.

Suarez scored his 100th goal in Barcelona colours, Neymar brought an end to the scoring drought that had haunted him for more than 1,000 minutes and Messi continued his fine exploits in front of goal.

On a night of individual milestones, Barcelona's MSN trident also picked up a substantial accolade as a collective, showing how devastating they have been as an attacking trio since forming in 2014: 

Barcelona might have been tempted to fly out of the traps against a dangerous opponent on Wednesday following their run of two matches without a win.

However, manager Luis Enrique's men were as calm as ever in their first-half approach, knowing the end product would come eventually, particularly after netting 11 times over their previous two outings at the Camp Nou.

One Barcelona forward might have been more eager to net than the others, though, as Neymar's wait to resume his scoring record this season lingered on:

The Brazil international could afford to feel aggrieved after 27 minutes, too, when he was called offside after running on to a superb Andres Iniesta pass despite replays showing he had not strayed past the last defender.

It mattered little, though, as Suarez took matters into his own hands and volleyed home a Neymar cross from the right side of the area into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Sky Sports Statto confirmed his 100th Barcelona goal:

Squawka put those figures into further context and provided a look at the exact spread of the Uruguay international's considerable Barca tally:

That 35th-minute blast put Barca on the front foot for the second half, with Barcelona knowing their main objective was to avoid conceding, considering they would advance if the score remained 1-0 in their favour.

Their advantage was doubled early in the second period, however, as Neymar finally ended his goalless run from the 12-yard spot in the 48th minute after being brought down in the area by right-back Eneko Boveda. 

The Blaugrana were swiftly pulled off their high horse, however, when Saborit pulled back a goal for Los Leones just three minutes later. The left-side specialist rose to meet substitute Gorka Elustondo's cross at the back post and level the aggregate score at 3-3.

Goal's Ben Hayward highlighted the irony of Saborit scoring:

Jordi Alba and Suarez both went close over the next 20 minutes, and it was clear Barca aimed to target Athletic's weak flanks, a tactic that worked to great effect as Benat gave the hosts a free-kick on the edge of the box with 12 minutes left.

That was all the opportunity Messi needed to score his third such set piece of 2017, and sports reporter Andy West celebrated the Argentinian's majesty after he put another game beyond an opponent:

Although it wasn't the most confident of victories, Enrique will be relieved to see his men back to winning ways, and Neymar's return to the scoresheet could be the biggest blessing from the game.

Barcelona may fancy their chances in this season's competition after Real Sociedad beat Villarreal on Wednesday to advance alongside Alaves and Alcorcon, while Atletico Madrid beat Las Palmas to progress on Tuesday.

The final three round-of-16 matches will take place on Thursday, when Barca will be happy to see either Sevilla or Real Madrid—second and first in La Liga, respectively—exit the contest when they meet at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Post-Match Reaction

With Messi, Suarez and Neymar each getting in on the scoring action against Athletic, Barcelona will hope their recent troubles become a thing of the past and 2017 brings brighter prospects.

Suarez displayed the kind of selflessness one would hope to hear from a star player, despite Wednesday's goal being just cause for the Uruguayan to celebrate his own accomplishment:

Everton manager and former Barcelona star Ronald Koeman also took to Twitter to send Messi his congratulations, from one former set-piece specialist to another:

Barcelona play host to in-form Las Palmas on Saturday as they look to begin a new winning streak and make their way up La Liga's rankings and closer to leaders Real Madrid.