Real Madrid crashes out of Copa del Rey in Arbeloa’s debut disaster
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts at the end of the Copa del Rey round of 16 soccer match between Albacete and Real Madrid, in Albacete, Spain, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)
Real Madrid suffered a shocking Copa del Rey exit on Wednesday, falling 3-2 to second-division side Albacete in Álvaro Arbeloa’s first match as head coach. Jefté Betancor delivered the heartbreak with a 94th-minute winner, just moments after Gonzalo García had pulled Madrid level in added time.
The defeat marks a dismal start for Arbeloa, who took over just days ago following Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Despite fielding a rotated squad resting stars like Mbappé and Bellingham the new coach took full responsibility. “If anyone is responsible, it’s me,” he stated, though he expressed no regrets over his team selection.
Veteran defender Dani Carvajal apologized to fans, admitting, “We are not going through our best moment.”
The loss deepens the crisis at Madrid, who recently fell to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final and are trailing in both La Liga and the Champions League.
For Albacete, languishing near the relegation zone, the victory provides a historic upset and a quarter-final berth.
