Arbeloa’s reign begins with shock copa del rey exit as Albacete stun Real Madrid

Real Madrid were sensationally dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Segunda División side Albacete, suffering a humbling defeat in Álvaro Arbeloa’s first match in charge, Sport360NG reports.

Albacete struck first shortly before the interval when defender Javi Villar powered a header past Andriy Lunin from José Lazo’s corner in the 42nd minute, leaving the hosts with a deserved lead at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.

Madrid responded swiftly in stoppage time as 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Raúl Lizoain to restore parity from close range, sending the teams into the break level.

The contest remained finely balanced for much of the second half, but the decisive moments arrived late on. Substitute Jefte Betancor proved the unlikely hero, scoring twice in the final eight minutes, either side of Gonzalo García’s equaliser, to secure a famous victory and propel Albacete into the quarter-finals with their first-ever win over the 15-time European champions.

Arbeloa, appointed on Monday following the departure of Xabi Alonso, was without several key figures, including Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo and England midfielder Jude Bellingham. Despite those absences, the scale of the upset will raise serious questions after another damaging result, coming just days after defeat by rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.

Madrid dominated possession in the opening stages, enjoying close to 80% of the ball and registering five efforts inside the first 42 minutes. However, a lack of cutting edge proved costly as Villar’s header punished their failure to convert control into goals.

Seeking a winner after the break, Arbeloa introduced a series of experienced substitutes, including David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Carvajal, but it was Albacete head coach Alberto González whose changes swung the tie.

The result represents one of the most striking cup upsets in recent Spanish football history. For a club accustomed to measuring success in silverware and supremacy, an early Copa del Rey exit at the hands of a side sitting 17th in the second tier is likely to deepen scrutiny on Arbeloa’s appointment.

What was intended to be a fresh start has instead begun with frustration and uncertainty, leaving the new manager facing immediate pressure as Madrid look to arrest a worrying slump.