Barca-Real showdown for King's Cup brewing

Barcelona and Real Madrid are on course for a King's Cup final showdown after Spain's two dominant clubs recorded convincing home wins in their semifinal first legs on Wednesday.

Real thumped holder 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 winner Barca beat 10-man Real Sociedad 2-0 at 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 over the weekend, but its 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 said. "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 evident in a match littered with cynical fouls and gamesmanship.

Real went ahead in the 17th minute when Pepe galloped forward and his speculative shot first hit Emiliano Insua and then keeper Thibaut Courtois before deflecting into the net.

Real doubled its lead just before the hour when a superb Angel Di Maria pass released Jese and he poked the ball past Courtois.

Di Maria made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute when he let fly with a long shot that struck Atletico defender Miranda before spinning past the helpless Courtois.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said it was possibly his side's best performance since he took over from Jose Mourinho in the offseason.

"We were very effective in winning back the ball and we worked well down the wings," said the Italian. "My wish is to have a team like the one that played tonight."

Meanwhile, Barca had little trouble dominating a defense-minded Sociedad at half-empty Nou Camp.

Sergio Busquets opened the scoring shortly before halftime, and Barca's second tally was a bizarre own goal. Cesc Fabregas sent Alexis Sanchez clear and when his shot came back off the post Gorka Elustondo's attempted clearance hit keeper Enaut Zubikarai and caromed into the net.

Outnumbered Sociedad did well not to concede again as Barca mounted wave after wave of attacks, but the Basque club's bid for a first King's Cup since 1987 looks to be over.

"We wanted to score more goals given that we had an extra man and we could have scored more but is a very favorable result," said Barca captain Xavi.

"We haven't conceded a goal at home and that is also a point very much in our favor."