Neymar Shines Against Real Sociedad

Barcelona escaped the Estadio Anoeta with a 1-0 advantage over Real Sociedad in their Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg match on Thursday.

Neymar’s 21st-minute penalty was all the defending champs would need to take the slim lead back to the Camp Nou for next week’s second leg.

And it was the Brazilian who won the spot kick just after the quarter-hour mark when his quick feet tricked Aritz Elustondo into a foul in the box.

The Barca No. 11 then calmly sent La Real goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli the wrong way to give the Catalans the edge in the tie.

The Blaugrana did leave with an injury concern, however, as Andres Iniesta was forced off with a calf problem at half-time.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid opened a large advantage in their quarterfinal tie by beating Eibar 3-0.

Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa and Kevin Gameiro were on the scoresheet as the hosts cruised at the Vicente Calderon.

Stefan Savic thought he had opened the scoring his the 25th minute, but his goal was ruled out for offside in the buildup.

However, Atletico were in front three minutes later after Eibar keeper Yoel came out for a long free kick but missed and it fell to Jose Gimenez to nod on for Griezmann to head in.

Atletico doubled the lead on the hour mark when Correa tapped home after good work by Yannick Carrasco to run into the box.

Griezmann added an assist seven minutes later, when they added a third following a corner kick, with Gameiro the third Atletico player to get a head to ball before it crossed the line.