Referee Jesus Gil Manzano shows a red card to Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez is hoping an appeal will save him from missing the Copa del Rey final after being sent off for Barcelona in a bad-tempered semi-final, second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Suarez scored the vital goal as three players were dismissed in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday that secured the team's place in a fourth straight final, Barca winning 3-2 on aggregate.

However, the Uruguayan - sent off for the first time in three years at Barca - claimed a stray elbow on Koke as the game entered stoppage time was not even a foul.

Suarez celebrates after scoring the opening goal

"It makes me laugh because it was like he [the referee] wanted to do it," Suarez told Gol Television.

"We need to see if we can appeal the second yellow because it isn't even a foul, but we already know how these things go.

"That is why I am so angry because it was absolutely nothing. The first yellow was also for the first foul I committed in the game, but you could see it coming."

Barca boss Luis Enrique is not holding out too much hope of having Suarez available for May's final against either Alaves or Celta Vigo.

"You have to appeal all you think is unjust, but when you look at the precedents, you see what normally happens with appeals," said Enrique.

"Apart from the anger that the players who will miss the final feel, the important thing is that Barca have won.

"There are now only two teams that can win the Cup and we are one of them."