Álvaro Arbeloa’s first match as Real Madrid manager ended in disaster as his side were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second-division Albacete Balompié. The 3-2 defeat at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium saw the home side secure a famous victory, with Javi Villar and Jefté Betancor scoring for Albacete. Betancor’s second goal, a sublime strike in the dying seconds, sealed the win and sent Madrid crashing out of the competition.
Arbeloa, appointed just one day earlier after the sacking of Xabi Alonso, made sweeping changes to the starting lineup, leaving ten senior players, including Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, back in Madrid. Despite the inexperience, Arbeloa refused to make excuses, saying: “At this club every defeat is a tragedy, so imagine one like this. Failure is the road to success.” He added: “I am not afraid of failure. I have failed lots of times in my life.”
Albacete, who sit 17th in the Spanish second division, twice took the lead through Villar and Betancor, only for Madrid to equalise through Franco Mastantuono and an added-time header from García. Just when it seemed the visitors had forced extra time, Betancor raced into the area and clipped a glorious shot past Andriy Lunin to spark wild celebrations among the home fans.
The defeat marks the latest low point in a turbulent season for Real Madrid, who lost the Super Cup final three days ago. Arbeloa acknowledged the pain of the result but insisted it would ultimately make his team stronger. “I saw players who wanted to win; I can’t reproach them,” he said. “This will make us better.”
