Stunning Copa Del Rey Exit for Real Madrid After Loss to Albacete

On Wednesday night, Real Madrid faced a shocking exit from the Copa del Rey, succumbing to an unexpected 3-2 defeat against second-division team Albacete in the Round of 16. This defeat was especially painful for new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who was making his debut in an atmosphere filled with disappointment and scrutiny.

Arbeloa had taken over just two days prior, stepping in for Xabi Alonso after Real Madrid's loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Hopes for a swift turnaround were dashed when Albacete secured a history-making victory with a heart-stopping goal in stoppage time at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.

Despite being one of the most decorated clubs in European football, Real Madrid struggled against opponents that currently sit in 17th place in Spain's second division. With several key players missing, Madrid was unable to assert their dominance and appeared uneasy throughout the match.

The game unfolded under challenging conditions as thick fog descended shortly after the kickoff. This gloomy backdrop mirrored Madrid's performance, with both teams finding it difficult to create clear opportunities in the initial stages. Vinicius Junior's long-range attempt sailed high and wide, epitomizing Madrid's attacking struggles in the first half.

Albacete took the lead in the 42nd minute when Javi Villar managed to escape his marker during a corner and headed the ball past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, igniting cheers from the home crowd and revealing Madrid's defensive frailties. Just before halftime, Madrid leveled the score thanks to young midfielder Franco Mastantuono, who skillfully netted a quick response from close range.

Following the halftime break, Albacete displayed boosted confidence and energy, pressing Madrid and disrupting their flow. Their efforts paid off in the 82nd minute when Jefte Betancor restored their lead, scoring after a clearance from Gonzalo Garcia rebounded to him in the penalty area, his shot surprising Lunin.

Madrid seemed poised to force extra time when Gonzalo Garcia scored a well-placed header in the 91st minute. However, Albacete had other ideas, and in a dramatic moment deep into stoppage time, Jefte executed a stunning lofted finish over Lunin to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory, marking their first triumph over Real Madrid in history.

Post-match, Arbeloa took full responsibility for the outcome. He acknowledged the disappointment felt throughout the club community regarding losing to a lower-tier team. Defending his lineup choices, which involved resting stars like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Thibaut Courtois for an upcoming league match, he expressed faith in his selected players.

"I would make the same decisions again," Arbeloa stated, affirming that the team he fielded was up to the task. He extended gratitude to his players for their hard work on his first day as manager.

Dani Carvajal, the team captain who came on as a substitute, expressed regret to the fans and acknowledged the squad’s current struggles. He emphasized the need for greater effort and commitment as they aim to rebuild their confidence in upcoming matches.

In other Copa del Rey fixtures, Real Betis triumphed over Elche 2-1 to progress to the quarterfinals, and Alaves defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-0. Defending champions Barcelona are set to clash with second-division frontrunners Racing Santander in their last-16 match on Thursday.

With this setback, Real Madrid's focus will shift back to La Liga, where Arbeloa will need to quickly stabilize the team following this disheartening cup exit.