Real Madrid’s season descended into further crisis on Wednesday as Álvaro Arbeloa’s managerial debut ended in a humiliating 3-2 Copa del Rey exit at the hands of second-tier Albacete. Appointed just Monday to replace Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa watched his side ousted by Jefté Betancor’s dramatic stoppage-time winner at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.
Without superstar Kylian Mbappé and several rested regulars like Jude Bellingham, Madrid struggled against an opponent currently sitting 17th in Spain’s second division. “At this club, a draw is a tragedy; imagine a defeat like this, it’s painful,” a shell-shod Arbeloa told reporters after the final whistle.
The contest began in an intense fog that mirrored Madrid’s gloomy performance, which saw Javi Villar nod the hosts in front after 42 minutes. Franco Mastantuono managed to equalize before the break, but Arbeloa’s experimental lineup, featuring reserve players Jorge Cestero and David Jiménez, lacked the cohesion to dominate.
Jefté put the hosts back ahead late in the second half, and while Gonzalo García’s 91st-minute strike briefly appeared to force extra time, Betancor struck again to seal the giant-killing. Arbeloa took full accountability for the disaster, stating, “If anyone is to blame for this outcome, it’s clearly me, the one who made the decisions regarding the lineup.”
Coming on the heels of Sunday’s Super Cup final loss to Barcelona, this latest setback leaves President Florentino Pérez facing a mountain of questions. The 15-time European champions must now find a way to regroup before returning to La Liga action against Levante this Saturday.
