Real, Barca on course for Cup final showdown

Friday, 7 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Barcelona and Real Madrid are on course for a King’s Cup final showdown after Spain’s two dominant teams recorded convincing home wins in their semi-final first legs on Wednesday. Real thumped holders Atletico Madrid 3-0 at the Bernabeu, gaining a measure of revenge for the 2-1 defeat in last year’s final at the same stadium, while record winners Barca beat 10-man Real Sociedad 2-0 at the Nou Camp.

Barca and Real last met in the final in 2011, when a Cristiano Ronaldo header in extra-time secured the trophy for the Madrid club, and if they successfully negotiate next week’s return legs they will meet on April 19 at a yet-to-be determined venue. Atletico climbed to the top of La Liga at the weekend but their first defeat in 25 matches in all competitions since October brought Diego Simeone’s side down to earth with a bump. “We tried but we just couldn’t find a way tonight,” Simeone told a news conference. “They had the good fortune to open the scoring with a shot that was going out of play and that helped them settle. “The players are feeling as you would expect after a 3-0 defeat. They are down because they are lads who want to win and when they don’t they are not happy.” Last year’s final was marred by red cards and brawling and the bad blood between Real and Atletico was still in evidence in a match littered with cynical fouls and gamesmanship.