Real, Barcelona on track for showdown

MADRID - Real Madrid and Barcelona are heading for a King's Cup showdown after the great rivals won their semifinal first legs on Wednesday.

Real won a controversial game 1-0 at holder Sevilla thanks to a goal from Karim Benzema while Lionel Messi struck twice as 2009 winner Barca thumped Almeria 5-0 at the Nou Camp.

The wealthy pair has carried its domination of La Liga into the King's Cup and if it advances after next Wednesday's second legs will meet in the final on April 20, a few days after it plays each other in the league at Real's Bernabeu stadium.