Post by : Meena
Hassan
Real Madrid faced a shocking defeat in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday evening, eliminated 3-2 by second-tier Albacete in the last 16 of the tournament. This loss represents a disappointing debut for new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who took charge just two days prior following Xabi Alonso's departure after a loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Hopes for a swift turnaround were dashed as Albacete clinched a landmark win with a dramatic goal in stoppage time at the Carlos Belmonte stadium. Despite their storied history, Real Madrid struggled against opponents currently situated at 17th in the second division, unable to assert their dominance and facing difficulties throughout the match.
The match conditions didn’t help, with dense fog enveloping the stadium right after kickoff, matching Madrid's struggling performance where both sides found it challenging to create clear opportunities early on. Vinicius Junior’s long-range shot sailed high, and the initial half saw few attacking chances from the visitors.
Albacete stunned the visitors in the 42nd minute as Javi Villar capitalized on a corner, heading past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. This ignited cheers from the home crowd and highlighted Madrid's defensive frailties. Just before halftime, Madrid found an equalizer through young midfielder Franco Mastantuono, who pounced quickly on a set piece to score.
The second half saw Albacete full of confidence, disrupting Madrid’s rhythm. Their efforts paid off in the 82nd minute when Jefte Betancor restored their lead, his shot evading Lunin after an awkward bounce.
Madrid managed what appeared to be a late equalizer in stoppage time through Gonzalo Garcia's header in the 91st minute. Yet, Albacete had one final flourish; in the dying moments, Jefte executed a superb chip over Lunin, sealing a historic 3-2 victory and prompting jubilant celebrations.
Post-match, Arbeloa took full accountability for the loss, acknowledging the unacceptability of falling to a lower division team and sharing the disappointment felt by everyone associated with the club. He defended his lineup choices, which included resting key players like Kylian Mbappe and Thibaut Courtois ahead of a crucial league fixture against Levante.
“I would make the same decisions again,” Arbeloa stated, affirming that his selected lineup was equipped to win. He expressed gratitude to the players for their efforts on his inaugural day.
Team captain Dani Carvajal, who appeared as a substitute, apologized to the supporters and acknowledged the squad's current struggles. He emphasized the need for the players to enhance their commitment in order to restore confidence and improve results in upcoming matches.
In other Copa del Rey outcomes, Real Betis overcame Elche 2-1, moving onto the quarterfinals, while Alaves secured a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano. Defending champions Barcelona are set to compete against second-division leaders Racing Santander in their last-16 encounter on Thursday.
For Real Madrid, all attention now shifts back to La Liga, where Arbeloa faces immediate scrutiny to steady the team following this demoralizing cup elimination.
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