Softfootball understands that Albacete produced one of many largest shocks of the Copa del Rey season as they knocked out Actual Madrid with a dramatic 3–2 victory within the Spherical of 16 on the Estadio Carlos Belmonte on January 14, 2026.
The consequence despatched the La Liga giants crashing out of the competitors and marked a nightmare first outing for newly appointed head coach Álvaro Arbeloa. After the sport Actual Madrid shared a publish in regards to the consequence by way of their official X account.
following the three–2 defeat to Barcelona within the Spanish Tremendous Cup ultimate. Madrid dominated possession from the opening exchanges however struggled to interrupt down a well-organised Albacete facet. The hosts stayed compact, absorbed stress, and waited patiently for his or her second.
That breakthrough arrived within the forty second minute when Javi Villar punished a defensive lapse, rifling his effort previous Andriy Lunin to offer the Segunda División outfit a deserved lead and ignite celebrations across the stadium.
Actual Madrid responded late within the half. Deep into stoppage time, Franco Mastantuono confirmed sharp instincts to react quickest after a Dean Huijsen effort was saved, tapping within the rebound to revive parity at 1–1 heading into the interval.
The second half was tense and more and more chaotic. Each groups traded possibilities as Madrid pushed ahead whereas Albacete remained harmful on the counter.
With eight minutes remaining, substitute Jefté Betancor swung the momentum again within the hosts’ favour, smashing a strong volley into the turf that Lunin couldn’t maintain out to make it 2–1.
Madrid seemed on the point of humiliation, however they discovered a lifeline in added time. Gonzalo García struck within the 91st minute to stage the rating at 2–2, seemingly forcing further time. Nonetheless, the drama was removed from over. Simply three minutes later, Betancor struck once more, calmly ending to finish his brace and seal a well-known 3–2 win for Albacete.
Betancor was the clear hero of the night time, whereas Madrid, regardless of the person high quality of Arda Güler and Vinícius Júnior, lacked cohesion below Arbeloa.
The defeat compounds Madrid’s distress following their Spanish Tremendous Cup loss to Barcelona, whereas Albacete march on to the quarter-finals, securing a memorable place in Copa del Rey folklore.
