BARCELONA - King’s Cup holder Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 1-0 in their quarterfinal first leg to end a nine-and-a-half year barren spell at home of the Basque side while Atletico Madrid crushed Eibar Thursday.
Brazil forward Neymar won and scored a penalty in the 21st minute after being tripped by Aritz Elustondo to decide the game but spurned two clear chances after the break that would have given Barca a more comfortable lead in the tie.
Sociedad had not lost to Barcelona at their Anoeta home in any competition since 2007 and could have struck an early blow when Willian Jose went down in the box in the first minute after a challenge from Gerard Pique but was denied a penalty.
Spain defender Pique made a vital block later in the first half to prevent Asier Illarramendi levelling from the edge of the box after a lay off from Carlos Vela.
Teenager Mikel Oyarzabal, scorer of the only goal in a Sociedad victory over Barca last April, came closest for the home side, firing just wide of the far post in a sweeping breakaway move midway through the second half.
The second leg at the Nou Camp takes place next Thursday.
Earlier, Atletico Madrid put one foot in the semifinals as it eased to a 3-0 win over Eibar, thanks to goals from Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa and Kevin Gameiro.
Griezmann headed Atletico in front in the 28th minute and Argentine winger Correa doubled its advantage on the hour by sweeping the ball home after a run by Yannick Carrasco, netting Atletico’s 500th goal under coach Diego Simeone.
Substitute Gameiro stretched Atletico’s lead by heading in from close range in the 67th after replacing Correa to give Eibar little chance of turning the tie around in the second leg at their Ipurua stadium next Thursday.
Real Madrid lost 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo in their first-leg Wednesday while Alaves beat second division Alcorcon 2-0.
