On a chilly January night at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte, football fans witnessed a Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash that will be talked about for years to come. Albacete, a resilient Segunda División side, stunned the football world by defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in a dramatic, heart-stopping contest on January 14, 2026. This wasn’t just any cup tie—it marked the managerial debut of Álvaro Arbeloa for Los Blancos, following the sudden departure of Xabi Alonso earlier in the week. For Arbeloa, it was a baptism of fire, and for Albacete, a night of glory.
The match kicked off at 9 p.m. local time in Spain, with fans from across the globe tuning in via ESPN Select in the US, Premier Sports in the UK, and various streaming services elsewhere—though some regions scrambled for access due to broadcasting restrictions. The anticipation was palpable: could the mighty Real Madrid, even with a blend of academy prospects and established stars, avoid a cup upset against a side that had already dispatched San Fernando, Leganes, and Celta Vigo to reach this stage?
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Albacete weren’t there to make up the numbers. They dug in defensively, absorbing pressure and looking to hit on the counter. Real Madrid, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm. As one observer noted, "Madrid struggled in the early goings, as a mixture of academy kids and first teamers failed to piece together many opportunities." Federico Valverde tried his luck from distance, and Vinícius Júnior, brimming with energy, continually tried to break down the Albacete backline, but the final ball was lacking.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 42nd minute. Albacete’s Javi Villar rose highest to meet a corner, sending a powerful header past Andrii Lunin and into the top right corner. The home crowd erupted. The goal was a just reward for Albacete’s disciplined play and set the tone for what would become a night of high drama.
But Real Madrid, true to their reputation, responded quickly. Just before halftime, Franco Mastantuono found himself in the right place at the right time, poking home from close range after a corner to bring the scores level. The goal injected new life into Los Blancos, and as the teams headed into the break tied at 1-1, the momentum seemed to be shifting toward the visitors.
After the interval, Real Madrid looked more assertive. Vinícius Júnior continued to threaten down the flank, while Arda Güler began pulling the strings in midfield. The visitors pressed forward, seeking the go-ahead goal, but Albacete’s defense held firm. The match became increasingly physical, with yellow cards issued to Riki Rodríguez and Jefté Betancor for Albacete, and Raúl Asencio and Dean Huijsen for Real Madrid. Substitutions came thick and fast as both managers sought to tilt the balance.
Then, with less than 10 minutes remaining, chaos descended. Albacete won a corner, and following a scramble in the box—some might call it shambolic defending from Real Madrid—Jefté Betancor pounced, rifling a right-footed shot into the top left corner to give Albacete a 2-1 lead. The underdogs were in dreamland, but the drama was far from over.
Real Madrid, desperate to avoid embarrassment, threw everything forward. In the 91st minute, Gonzalo García rose to the occasion, heading home from the center of the box after a pinpoint cross from Arda Güler. For a moment, it seemed as if the giants had averted disaster. The score was 2-2 deep into stoppage time, and extra time loomed.
But Albacete had other ideas. With almost the final kick of the game, Jefté Betancor struck again, this time curling a beautiful right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the bottom right corner after a blistering fast break. The stadium exploded in celebration. Betancor, perhaps overcome by emotion, was shown a yellow card for excessive celebration, but he—and the Albacete faithful—could hardly care. The final whistle blew: Albacete 3, Real Madrid 2.
"A final heave from Los Blancos proved fruitless in a truly historic cup upset—and a miserable start for Arbeloa," as one match report aptly put it. Indeed, the result will sting for Real Madrid, who had come into the tie as overwhelming favorites. Arbeloa, who had been promoted from coaching Real Madrid Castilla just days prior, was left to reflect on a night where his side’s defensive frailties and missed opportunities cost them dearly.
For Albacete, the victory was the culmination of a remarkable cup run. Having already dispatched formidable opponents in earlier rounds, they now have a famous scalp to add to their collection. The team’s blend of disciplined defending and clinical finishing—epitomized by Villar’s opener and Betancor’s brace—proved too much for even the mighty Real Madrid.
Yellow cards and substitutions added further layers to the contest, with both managers using their benches to try and influence proceedings. The match saw four minutes of added time in the second half and two in the first, but in the end, it was Albacete’s resilience and opportunism that prevailed.
For Real Madrid, the focus now turns to regrouping under Arbeloa’s stewardship. The new manager will need to steady the ship quickly, as the club’s demanding supporters and board will expect an immediate response. For Albacete, meanwhile, the dream continues. They advance to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey, their confidence sky-high and their supporters daring to dream of even greater feats.
The Estadio Carlos Belmonte will be buzzing for weeks after this unforgettable night. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: in the magic of the Copa del Rey, anything is possible. Albacete’s triumph over Real Madrid is proof that in football, the underdog can still have its day.
