Key Takeaways:
- Real Madrid suffered a 2-3 defeat at Albacete and crashed out of the Copa del Rey in the round of 16
- Substitute Jefte Betancor scored twice, including the stoppage-time winner that delivered Albacete’s first-ever victory over Los Blancos
- Álvaro Arbeloa made six changes to the starting eleven for his managerial debut, leaving out several key players
Match Overview: Historic Night in Albacete
Real Madrid exited the Copa del Rey at the round of 16 stage in spectacular fashion, succumbing 2-3 on the road to Albacete in Álvaro Arbeloa’s first match in charge. The home side, currently sitting 17th in the La Liga 2 table and winless in their previous four matches, delivered a performance for the ages in front of over 17,000 supporters at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.
Álvaro Arbeloa’s debut as Real Madrid’s head coach saw the visitors stunned twice by Albacete, before Gonzalo Garcia’s late equaliser seemed to have taken the game to extra time. However, it was substitute Jefte Betancor who made all the difference, finding the net twice and sealing the famous victory with a remarkable finish in the dying seconds.
🏁 FT: @AlbaceteBPSAD 3-2 @RealMadridEN
⚽ 42' Javier Villar
⚽ 45'+ 3' Mastantuono
⚽️ 82' Jefté T.
⚽️ 90'+1' @gonzalo7garcia_
⚽️ 90'+4' Jefté T.
👉 @emirates pic.twitter.com/Qs3jLT0UyY— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 14, 2026
Team Selection and Tactical Changes
Both managers rotated their line-ups. Albacete boss Alberto Gonzalez set out with Daniel Escriche and José Lasso up front, aided in midfield by Capi, Javi Villar, Antonio Pacheco, and Alejandro Meléndez. Former Ludogorets striker Higinio Marín was absent as he continues to recover from injury, yet to open his scoring account in La Liga 2 this season, and having already picked up two red cards in four matches.
Álvaro Arbeloa left out several mainstays from his squad, including Thibaut Courtois, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Álvaro Carreras, and Jude Bellingham. Among the options on the bench were Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos, and Dani Carvajal. Arbeloa made six changes compared to the side that played the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona (lost 2-3), handing starts to academy prospects David Jiménez and Jorge Sestero. Real lined up with Andriy Lunin between the posts, led by an attacking trio of Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo Garcia, and Franco Mastantuono.
First-Half Action: A Competitive Start
A spirited crowd, creating an electric Latin American-style atmosphere, cheered as Albacete started brightly. Their fans set the tone, producing a smoky haze that occasionally interrupted play. Early Real Madrid corners posed no threat to Raúl Lizoain in goal, and Federico Valverde fired wide from distance before José Lasso responded likewise for the hosts in the 13th minute.
Although the visitors dominated possession, their attacks lacked urgency and failed to stretch Albacete’s backline. Further efforts from Valverde and home youngster Dani Bernabeu threatened, but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock. In the 42nd minute, Javi Villar rose above Franco Mastantuono following a Lasso corner to head Albacete in front and send their supporters into raptures.
Real Madrid levelled the tie almost instantly. Franco Mastantuono capitalised on a rebound after Dean Huijsen’s powerful drive was parried by Lizoain, reacting quickest to tap in just before the break.
Substitutions and Second-Half Drama
While Arbeloa kept faith with his starting line-up as the second half began, Albacete’s Gonzalez initiated three changes by the 57th minute, introducing Agus Medina, Jefte Betancor, and Riki Rodríguez. Despite having greater control, Real fashioned only one chance for Vinícius Júnior, who was unable to convert.
The 64th minute saw Valverde fire in another shot, only for it to be blocked, leading to a swift Albacete counterattack and a yellow card for Huijsen, who was promptly replaced by David Alaba. Camavinga came on for Fran García. Arbeloa continued to refresh the squad, later adding Dani Carvajal and giving César Palacios his debut.
Albacete nearly doubled their advantage through Riki Rodríguez in the 81st minute, but Lunin made a crucial save. Just moments later, a miscued clearance from Gonzalo Garcia left Jefte Betancor with a chance; the Greek league’s former top scorer finished clinically from a challenging angle to restore the home side’s lead.
Real responded by peppering the Albacete box with crosses, and eventually, Gonzalo Garcia headed in to make it 2-2 following a corner. Scenting the opportunity to avoid extra time, Real pushed forwards, but it was Albacete who struck the decisive blow. In stoppage time, Betancor gathered a loose ball on the edge of the area, saw his initial shot blocked, but then produced a deft lob over Lunin to settle the contest.
Post-Match Implications
Albacete’s 3-2 triumph marked their maiden official victory over Real Madrid and ended a disappointing winless run. For Los Blancos, this latest setback means a second elimination at this stage in the space of three seasons and prolongs their wait for Copa del Rey silverware, last lifted in 2023. The hosts’ persistence and support-driven energy overturned recent poor league form; Real Madrid could not find a way past a determined defence as the final whistle confirmed this shock result.
