Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey campaign came to an abrupt end on Wednesday night as they were beaten 3–2 by Segunda División side Albacete at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte, marking a disappointing start to Álvaro Arbeloa’s tenure as head coach.
Taking charge for the first time following Xabi Alonso’s dismissal after the Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, Arbeloa rang the changes, leaving several senior stars on the bench. However, the reshuffle failed to spark a response, with Madrid struggling to impose themselves against disciplined and energetic opposition.
Albacete struck first with their opening clear opportunity. Defender Javi Villar rose highest to power home a fine header, giving the hosts a deserved lead and underlining Madrid’s difficulties in dealing with direct pressure.
The visitors managed to restore parity just before the interval. In the third minute of stoppage time, Franco Mastantuono reacted sharply after Raúl Lizoainto denied Dean Huijsen, firing in the rebound to score the first goal of the Arbeloa era and send Madrid into the break level.
Rather than retreat, Albacete continued to press after half-time and were rewarded once more. Substitute Jefte Betancor pounced on a loose ball inside the area and drove a bouncing volley past Andriy Lunin, who was deputising for the injured Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid again found a response deep into stoppage time. Gonzalo García headed home from an Arda Güler corner in the 91st minute to seemingly force extra time. But the reprieve was short-lived.
Just three minutes later, Betancor struck again, finishing clinically to secure a famous victory for Albacete and send the home crowd into raptures.
The defeat compounds a miserable period for Real Madrid. Arbeloa’s decision to omit key figures such as Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé proved costly, and the early cup exit leaves Los Blancos with only La Liga and the Champions League left to salvage their season.
