Albacete, Spain – January 14, 2026 – Real Madrid suffered a stunning 3-2 defeat at the hands of second-division Albacete in the Copa del Rey last 16, marking a disastrous start for new coach Álvaro Arbeloa. The match, played at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium, ended in heartbreak for the 15-time European champions after Jefte Betancor’s stoppage-time winner sealed an unforgettable upset.
This result comes just days after Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final to arch-rivals Barcelona, prompting club president Florentino Pérez to replace Xabi Alonso with Arbeloa, who previously coached the Real Madrid reserve team.
Lineup Decisions and Key Absences
Arbeloa’s first match in charge saw a heavily rotated lineup, resting several star players, including:
- Kylian Mbappé (France superstar)
- Thibaut Courtois (goalkeeper)
- Jude Bellingham (midfielder)
Two reserve players from Arbeloa’s former squad – Jorge Cestero (holding midfielder) and David Jimenez (right-back) – were included in the starting eleven. Arbeloa defended his selections, insisting he “brought a team capable of winning,” while acknowledging the defeat was ultimately his responsibility.
Match Summary: Albacete Take the Lead
The first half was mostly uneventful under heavy fog, with few clear chances. Morocco’s Vinicius Junior had a long-range effort sail high and wide, while Albacete remained organized defensively.
Albacete opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when Javi Villar escaped his marker and headed home from a corner. Just before halftime, Madrid responded with Franco Mastantuono equalizing from another set-piece, keeping the hosts at bay.
Second Half Drama and Jefte’s Double
After the break, Albacete frustrated Madrid with disciplined defending, absorbing pressure from the visitors. The breakthrough came in the 82nd minute, when Jefte Betancor scored to put Albacete ahead.
Madrid appeared to snatch a lifeline in stoppage time, as Gonzalo Garcia’s header leveled the score 2-2, seemingly sending the match to extra time. However, Jefte produced a sensational finish moments later, lofting the ball over Andriy Lunin to complete his double and seal a historic victory for Albacete – their first ever against Real Madrid.
Arbeloa and Players React
Álvaro Arbeloa admitted full responsibility for the defeat, telling reporters:
“If anyone is responsible and to blame for this outcome, it’s clearly me. I can only thank the players for the effort they put in today. Failure is on the path to success; for me, they are not in opposite directions.”
Captain Dani Carvajal acknowledged the team’s poor performance and vowed to work hard to reverse the slump:
“We’re not at our best moment. We ask for forgiveness from the fans. We were not up to the level of this club… and we will give our lives in the next games and months to turn it around.”
Broader Copa del Rey Results
Other last-16 fixtures also concluded:
- Real Betis 2-1 Elche
- Alavés 2-0 Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona, the holders, will face second-division leaders Racing Santander on Thursday, seeking to avoid a similar giant-killing fate.
Implications for Real Madrid
The defeat exposes vulnerabilities in squad depth and highlights the challenges Arbeloa faces in stabilizing the team mid-season. While resting star players may be strategic for La Liga, it left Madrid exposed to an upset by lower-division opposition.
Analysts suggest that Madrid must regain form quickly in league play to maintain their title ambitions, while Arbeloa will need to adapt his tactical approach to prevent further embarrassment in domestic cup competitions.
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