Real Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second-division Albacete in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first game in charge, with the new coach taking full responsibility for the shock defeat.
Arbeloa rested big names like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois, choosing instead to give chances to academy players, but insisted he picked a team he believed could win. After the match, he admitted the loss was his fault, saying he made the key decisions on the line-up, tactics and substitutions.
Albacete took the lead just before half-time through Javi Villar, before teenager Franco Mastantuono equalised for Madrid. In a dramatic ending, substitute Jefte Betancor scored twice, either side of a goal from Gonzalo Garcia, to seal a historic Copa del Rey win for Albacete over the 15-time Champions League winners.
Despite dominating possession and making several late substitutions, Real Madrid could not avoid elimination, adding to recent disappointments following their Spanish Super Cup defeat by Barcelona. Arbeloa said the setback would help him and the team improve as they move forward.
