Atletico Madrid will take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final tie against Real Betis after goals from Radamel Falcao and Filipe Luis secured them a first-leg victory at the Vicente Calderon.
The hosts drew first blood in the 11th minute through Falcao, who headed home Raul Garcia's cross following some impressive team play.
It was a tight encounter where clear-cut chances were few and far between, but Atletico managed to double their lead in the 23rd minute when Luis smashed into the bottom corner after Betis failed to deal with a set piece.
Betis squandered a golden opportunity to pull a goal back on the half-hour mark. Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois pulled off an impressive double-stop to keep out first Ruben Castro and then Eder Vilarchao to maintain his side's 2-0 advantage.
Courtois was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the second half as Betis went in search of an away goal, but they found the Belgium international in fine form as he denied Jorge Molina in the 50th minute.
The second leg of the tie will take place at Estadio Benito Villamarin next week.
Mark Langshaw
