Torres got Atletico off to the perfect start as he slotted home Koke's through ball for a vital away goal on 25 minutes, but saw two quickfire yellow cards to leave his side a man short for over an hour.
A second-half onslaught from Barca ensued and Suarez turned the game on its head as he bundled home to equalise, before powering in a header for the winner 16 minutes from time.
"Obviously a sending off in the first half will affect the game, even more when it's a great player," said Suarez.
"Everyone knows his quality, but he made two strong fouls. It was a pity, I would have liked to come back against 11."
However, Atletico were incensed as Suarez twice escaped punishment for a kick out at Juanfran and an off-the-ball incident with Filipe Luis.
"There were more than two incidents involving Suarez," said Atletico boss Diego Simeone.
"I can't say what I think, but I am not angry with Fernando for sure."
"I don't know what Barca players have to do to get sent off just like us," Luis told Spanish TV station MEGA.
"You can tell there is fear that Barca will be eliminated."
Lionel Messi was looking for his 500th career goal for club and country, but was unusually wayward as he pulled a shot beyond the front post and then miscued wildly on the volley from Jordi Alba's dangerous cross.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone had been brave in his search for an away goal by naming Yannick Carrasco alongside Torres and top-scorer Antoine Griezmann in attack.
Griezmann was desperately close to doubling the visitors' lead moments later when only a brilliant save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen prevented the French international's low effort from drifting in at the far post.
Yet Barca were handed a lifeline by two moments of madness from Torres as he lunged in late on Neymar and then Sergio Busquets within six minutes to see red.
Atletico retained a threat at the start of the second half as Carrasco's dangerous low cross whistled across the Barca goal.
Messi's acrobatic overhead kick flew inches wide of the target before Neymar curled against the bar.
Jan Oblak was then forced into his first saves of the night from Neymar's close range header and Messi's drive from distance.
Atletico's resistence lasted just over an hour until Neymar drilled Dani Alves's cross goalwards and Suarez was on hand to bundle home his 44th goal of the season.
And his 45th followed 12 minutes later as he powered in another Alves cross to keep Barca on course to become the first side to ever retain the Champions League.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
