Second-tier Albacete eliminate Real Madrid in Copa del Rey upset

January 15, 2026 Oliver Obel

Alvaro Arbeloa’s first week as Real Madrid manager took another sharp turn on Wednesday night, as the club were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second-tier Albacete a result that immediately intensified scrutiny of his appointment.

The defeat came just days after Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup loss to Barcelona and shortly after Arbeloa was confirmed as head coach following Xabi Alonso’s departure by mutual consent. What was intended as a fresh start instead underlined how fragile the transition has been.

According to BBC Sport, Arbeloa opted to rotate heavily for the cup tie, leaving several regular starters out of the squad, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo, with an eye on upcoming league commitments. Academy players Jorge Cestero and David Jimenez were among those given opportunities.

Despite the outcome, Arbeloa defended his selection choices, insisting the side he fielded was capable of progressing. After the match, he accepted full responsibility for the defeat.

“If anyone is responsible and to blame for this outcome, it’s clearly me the one who made the decisions regarding the line-up, how we wanted to play, the substitutions,” Arbeloa said.

“I’m not afraid of failure. I understand anyone who wants to describe this defeat as a failure. Failure is part of the road to success.”

Albacete, who sit in the lower half of Spain’s Segunda Division, took the lead shortly before half-time when defender Javi Villar headed in from a corner. Madrid responded quickly through 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono, who capitalised on a goalkeeping error to level the score.

The second half proved more evenly balanced, and Arbeloa turned to his bench as Madrid searched for control. However, it was Albacete who found the decisive edge late on, with substitute Jefte Betancor scoring twice in the final stages, either side of a Gonzalo Garcia equaliser, to secure one of the most notable results in the club’s recent history.

BBC Sport noted that Madrid dominated possession and created chances but were undone by defensive lapses and Albacete’s sharper interventions from the bench, overseen by home coach Alberto Gonzalez.

Writing for the BBC, Spanish football reporter Elizabeth Conway described the result as “an absolute nightmare for Real Madrid,” arguing that it would deepen existing doubts over Arbeloa’s rapid promotion and limited senior managerial experience.

With expectations at the Bernabeu measured in trophies rather than transition, Arbeloa now faces immediate pressure to steady a side whose reset has so far produced more uncertainty than relief.

Sources: BBC Sport