Second division side Albacete beat and eliminate Real Madrid from the Copa del Rey. The 3-2 win came on January 14, 2026, at the Carlos Belmonte stadium in a dramatic round-of-16 match. Substitute Jefte Betancor scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner in the 94th minute, to seal the upset on new manager Álvaro Arbeloa’s debut.
The game started under thick fog. Albacete took the lead in the 42nd minute when defender Javi Villar headed in from a corner. Real Madrid equalized deep into first-half stoppage time through Franco Mastantuono, who tapped in after a save from the home keeper.
The second half stayed tight. Albacete went ahead again in the 82nd minute with Betancor’s first goal, a sharp finish after a corner chaos. Madrid thought they had forced extra time when Gonzalo García headed in from an Arda Güler cross in the 91st minute. But Betancor chipped Andriy Lunin in the dying seconds to send the home crowd wild.
This was Arbeloa’s first game in charge. He took over on Monday after Xabi Alonso left by mutual agreement following a Super Cup final loss to Barcelona. Arbeloa, a former Madrid defender, stepped up from the Castilla reserve team.
He rested key players like Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo and Antonio Rüdiger. Vinícius Júnior started but struggled under constant marking. The team fielded several youngsters, including David Jiménez and Jorge Cestero.
After the match, Arbeloa took full responsibility. He said it was his fault as the one who picked the lineup, set the tactics and made the changes. He called the loss painful, especially against a lower-tier side.
At Real Madrid, even a draw feels bad, he added, so a defeat like this hurts more. He stood by his decisions and said he would do it the same way again. He praised the players’ effort and attitude. They wanted to win and followed the plan.
Arbeloa highlighted Vinícius Júnior’s performance. The Brazilian asked to play every minute despite a long trip and recent efforts. That showed character. Arbeloa said that’s the Vini he wants to see — someone who takes responsibility, pushes forward and doesn’t hide. If Madrid want to win titles, they need him at his best.
The defeat means Real Madrid exit the Copa del Rey early. They now focus on La Liga and the Champions League. Those are their main goals. The team has a La Liga match on Saturday against Levante at the Bernabéu. Arbeloa said they will recover, prepare and work hard.
Albacete, 17th in Segunda División and fighting relegation, made history. It was their first win over Madrid. The 17,000 fans created a great atmosphere. Jefte Betancor, a 32-year-old forward, became the hero with his brace. The club celebrated long after the whistle.
This result adds to Madrid’s tough start to 2026. They lost the Super Cup final days earlier. Now, without the Copa del Rey, pressure builds on La Liga and Europe. Arbeloa faces a big test early. He knows the demands at the club. Failure is part of the road, he said, but they will learn and improve.
Fans reacted strongly online. Many called it a humiliation. Others backed Arbeloa’s rotation policy in a cup tie. The focus shifts to the next games. Madrid must bounce back quickly. Albacete advances to the quarterfinals with pride.
