Albacete Stuns Real Madrid 3-2, Ending Their Copa del Rey Run

Real Madrid faced a shocking exit from the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, falling 3-2 to Albacete, a team from the second division, in the last 16. This defeat cast a shadow over Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut as head coach, leaving him to navigate early criticism and disappointment.

Having taken over just two days prior from Xabi Alonso after a defeat against Barcelona, Arbeloa carried hopes for a swift turnaround. Unfortunately, Albacete achieved a historic victory, clinching the win with a dramatic goal in stoppage time at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.

Despite their immense pedigree in European football, Real Madrid appeared unsettled, struggling against an Albacete side currently 17th in the second tier. The absence of several key players compounded their inability to assert their presence on the pitch.

Difficult conditions prevailed as thick fog enveloped the stadium shortly after the kickoff. This gloomy atmosphere mirrored Madrid's uneasy gameplay, with both teams failing to create significant chances in the early stages. Vinicius Junior's long-range attempt went high, while Madrid's overall attack lacked clarity throughout the first half.

The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute; Javi Villar eluded his marker during a corner, heading the ball past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. This goal ignited the home crowd while revealing Madrid’s defensive frailties. Just before the break, Madrid found an equalizer from a set piece as young midfielder Franco Mastantuono reacted quickly to score from close range.

After halftime, Albacete grew in confidence, pressing Madrid and disrupting their rhythm. The determined underdogs reclaimed the lead in the 82nd minute through Jefte Betancor, whose shot from a clearance bounced awkwardly and found its way into the net.

Madrid seemed to rescue the match in stoppage time when Gonzalo Garcia scored a well-placed header in the 91st minute, looking to push the game into extra time. However, Albacete had a last-minute triumph; Jefte executed a superb lob over Lunin in the dying moments, sealing a 3-2 victory and marking their first-ever success against Real Madrid.

Post-match, Arbeloa took full responsibility for the loss, acknowledging that any defeat was unacceptable for Real Madrid, particularly against a lower-league side. He defended his decision to rest stars like Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, seeking to balance squad management for the upcoming league match against Levante.

“I would make the same decisions again,” Arbeloa affirmed, emphasizing his trust in the chosen lineup. He expressed gratitude towards his players for their effort on his first day at the helm.

Captain Dani Carvajal, who entered as a substitute, conveyed apologies to the fans, stating the team was in a challenging phase. He urged for increased effort and dedication to restore confidence and results in forthcoming matches.

In other Copa del Rey fixtures, Real Betis defeated Elche 2-1, advancing to the quarterfinals, while Alaves overcame Rayo Vallecano 2-0. The defending champions, Barcelona, are slated to face Racing Santander, the leaders of the second division, in their last-16 matchup on Thursday.

Real Madrid must now redirect their focus to La Liga, where Arbeloa is under immediate pressure to stabilize the team following this damaging cup exit.