But it was Fernando Torres who went from hero to villain as the Atletico Madrid striker cost his team with a sending off after giving them a shock early lead.
Torres silenced the Nou Camp by breaking the deadlock on 25 minutes, but was sent off ten minutes later after two stupid yellow cards to leave his side in the lurch.
Barcelona pushed on but spurned a number of great chances before they equalised through Suarez just after the hour.
The Uruguayan forward was criticised for a quiet performance in Saturday's clásico, but showed his predatory instincts to divert home Jordi Alba's volley just after the hour mark.
Getty Images
Lu day: Suarez bagged a brace
And the former Liverpool man completed Barca's comeback with a thumping header fifteen minutes from time.
It was the second time in a couple of months that ill-discipline has cost Atletico a lead at the Nou Camp, and Diego Simeone is left hoping that this defeat doesn't prove as terminal for his chances of Champions League glory as January's loss was for their shot at La Liga.
Atleti held on at the death to keep Barcelona to just two goals, but their own away goal may prove crucial in the second leg of this tantalisingly-poised tie next Wednesday.
But what did we learn?
1. Simeone goes with Torres and risks 4-3-3
David Ramos
The A team: Atleti line up for the biggest game of their season
Having come to the Nou Camp and bettered Barcelona for the early part of their crucial La Liga clash in January , it was something of a surprise to see Diego Simeone stray from that formula in this Champions League encounter.
Having opted to field Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco - both natural wingers - as an energetic, high-pressing front two with some success that night, Simeone instead went for Fernando Torres this evening.
Ferreira-Carrasco and Griezmann flanked him, perhaps inspired by Real Madrid's success in channeling Barca to wide areas on Saturday.
Reuters
El Niño: Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres in action with Barcelona's Jordi Alba
Torres' first involvements weren't particularly promising. The former Liverpool forward lost possession cheaply twice in the opening minutes and failed to link up play as his manager needed him too.
His finish on 25 minutes to blow this tie wide open paid his coach back for his faith, but the subsequent red card may have cost them the tie.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar.
Subs: Bravo, Turan, Rafinha, Bartra, Munir, Sergi Roberto, Vermaelen.
Atletico: Oblak, Juanfran, Lucas, Godin, Filipe Luis, Koke, Gabi, Carrasco, Saul, Griezmann, Torres.
Subs: Moya, Jesús Gámez, Thomas, Kranevitter, Augusto, Correa, Vietto.
2. Torres wins it - then loses it?
Getty Images
Fer play: Torres scored the opener
Atletico Madrid's poster-boy, Fernando Torres can do no wrong in the eyes of so many fans.
And after putting his side in front at the Nou Camp in this Champions League quarter-final that fairytale story looked set to continue.
Torres is facing an uncertain future with Atleti but has spoken of his great desire to win trophies with the club he has supported since childhood.
Indeed, they call him el niño (the kid) after he burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced teenager.
Reuters
Celebrate good times: Atleti lead at the Nou Camp
No longer a teen but still rosy-cheeked, Torres' wealth of experience - including a World Cup, a European Cup and virtually every other trophy worth winning - deserted him as he made a foolish tackle to earn a booking just after the goal.
It was needless and always likely to cost a team that was going to sit back thereafter.
Stupid booking from Torres when he's going to have to press more than ever now https://t.co/XYxdpPdWFK
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) April 5, 2016
So when he steamed into Sergio....
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