Real Madrid suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey last 16, as manager Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut match ended in humiliation against a second division opponent.
Arbeloa, who was appointed as Xabi Alonso’s replacement on Monday, and his team were sent off for Jephte Betancor’s stoppage-time winner at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium.
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Arbeloa’s team, without French superstar Kylian Mbappé and other key players, struggled against a team currently 17th in Spain’s second division.
Albacete took the lead with a goal from Javi Villar, but Franco Mastantuono equalized just before half-time.
Jefte put the hosts ahead in the 82nd minute and scored the winning goal after Gonzalo Garcia’s goal in the 91st minute seemed to have forced extra time. The team has won 15 European championships.
Arbeloa told reporters: “A draw is already the worst for this club. This is a tragedy. Imagine a defeat like this. It’s heartbreaking.”
“I think our fans feel the same way, especially when you play a team from a lower division. That said, we know here how tough any opponent can be.”
“If anyone is responsible and responsible for this result, it’s obviously me, who made the decisions about the line-up, how we wanted to play and the substitutions.
“I can only thank the players for the way they welcomed us and their efforts today.”
President Florentino Perez replaced Alonso with reserve team coach Arbeloa after Madrid lost to rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
The Spaniard selected two players who are currently playing in the reserves he was in charge of until Monday: midfielder Jorge Setero and right-back David Jimenez.
As well as Mbappe, players such as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Jude Bellingham were also left out in order to allow them to rest ahead of their return to La Liga against Levante on Saturday.
“We’ll do it again. We’ll bring a team that can win,” Arbeloa said.
The first half was mostly played in a dark atmosphere, not only due to the Madrid atmosphere, but also due to heavy fog that appeared in the first few minutes of the game.
Vinicius Junior hit a wide shot from long range, but neither team had any clear chances until just before half-time, giving the home team a shocking lead.
Villar escaped Mastantuono’s attention with a corner kick and nodded in front of Albacete in the 42nd minute.
Arbeloa’s side equalized before they could break through, and Mastantuono scored from close range after taking advantage of a corner kick.
Jephte’s double
Albacete frustrated Madrid just after half-time, but then made a splash in attack and regained the lead.
Andriy Lunin pushed Riki’s shot away, but shortly after that Jehute put Alberto Gonzalez’s side ahead.
Gonzalo García’s clearance fell to the striker in the box, he shot towards the ground and the ball bounced up and past Lunin.
Madrid’s young forward made up for it in stoppage time with a well-placed header to equalize for his side.
But there was some stinging in the story as Jefte edged past Lunin with a sensational lofted finish to snatch a famous late victory that was Albacete’s first win against Real Madrid.
“I’m not afraid of failure. I understand why some people want to call this defeat a failure,” Arbeloa added.
“Failure is on the road to success. For me, failure is not the opposite.”
Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, who came on as a substitute but was unable to prevent Jehute from winning, said his players would work hard to recover from the club’s poor performance.
“We are not in the best of times. We have to work hard and everyone has to give more. That is the reality,” Carvajal told reporters.
“We ask for the fans’ forgiveness. First of all, we were not at the level of this club. We will give our lives in the coming games and months (to turn things around).”
Elsewhere, Real Betis defeated Elche 2-1, and Alaves defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-0 to advance to the quarter-finals.
Holders Barcelona will visit second division leaders Racing Santander on Thursday.
