Copa del Rey Shock: Albacete Stun Real Madrid 3-2 With Stoppage-Time Winner
Missing key stars, Real Madrid suffer surprise elimination by lower-division Albacete won thanks to late drama.
Real Madrid suffered a shock elimination from the Copa del Rey on Wednesday after losing 3-2 to second-division side Albacete in the last 16, marking a disappointing debut for new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa. The defeat at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium stands out as one of the major upsets of the tournament this season.
Arbeloa was appointed on Monday to replace Xabi Alonso and took charge amid challenging circumstances, with several first-team regulars unavailable. Real Madrid was without French star Kylian Mbappé and other key players, and the weakened lineup struggled to impose itself against determined opposition currently placed 17th in Spain’s Segunda División.
Albacete struck first through Javi Villar, capitalizing on defensive uncertainty to take an early lead and energize the home crowd. Real Madrid responded before the interval when Franco Mastantuono found the equalizer just before half-time, briefly restoring parity and momentum for the visitors.
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The second half saw a tense and evenly matched contest, with Real Madrid enjoying more possession but finding it difficult to break down Albacete’s disciplined defensive structure. The hosts continued to threaten on the counter and matched Madrid’s intensity throughout the closing stages.
The decisive moment came in stoppage time when Jefte Betancor scored the winning goal, sealing a memorable victory for Albacete and sending Real Madrid crashing out of the competition. The late strike underlined Albacete’s resilience and belief against vastly more experienced opposition.
For Real Madrid, the early exit raises questions about squad depth and adaptability under new leadership, as Arbeloa begins his tenure with a painful setback. Albacete, meanwhile, celebrated a historic cup win that provides a significant morale boost amid their domestic league struggles.
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