Albacete shocked Real Madrid 3-2 in the Copa del Rey Round of 16, a result that will echo far beyond a single winter night. On January 14, 2026, the second-division club threw the script out the window, answered the pressure with courage, and rode a dramatic winner from Betancor to dump the 14-time European champions out of Spain’s cup.

For new Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa, it was a brutal first step in the dugout. For Albacete, it was the kind of story this competition is built on: belief, togetherness, and a fearless punch above their weight.

Copa del Rey magic: A Round of 16 classic

The 2025-26 Spanish Copa del Rey is known for upsets, but this one sits near the top. Albacete, a proud club from the second tier, refused to bow to the weight of the badge in front of them. They took risks, stayed compact when it mattered, and trusted their finishers. The final scoreline—Albacete 3-2 Real Madrid—doesn’t just tell you who won; it tells you that the underdog seized its moment.

Betancor’s strike was the night’s turning point. It was the goal that broke Real Madrid’s grip on the tie and put the tie in Albacete’s hands for good. It will be replayed again and again in Albacete homes for years to come.

“This is why we love the Copa—big names can fall if you believe.”

Arbeloa’s tough debut: A test of resolve

Álvaro Arbeloa knows Real Madrid as well as anyone. As a former player and youth coach, he understands the club’s demand for control, standards, and trophies. But his first game as senior coach delivered a harsh lesson: in knockout football, one bad night can change a season’s mood.

Madrid did not find their normal rhythm for long enough. They had spells, yes, and they scored twice. But cup ties are about moments and management. Albacete seized theirs; Madrid did not protect theirs. The new coach’s first job now is to steady the group, find the right balance, and respond with clarity rather than panic.

Mbappé’s brace wasn’t enough for Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé did his part on the scoreboard. In this Copa del Rey campaign, he has one appearance and two goals—both arriving in this match. That return is elite. The issue for Madrid was not finishing; it was control at the back and control in the key phases. When you concede three, you leave yourself no margin.

Madrid created danger but left space and hope at the other end. In knockout games, that’s a dangerous mix. Mbappé’s brace showed why he is a superstar. The team around him simply could not close the door.

“Mbappé scores two and Madrid still go out—how does that happen?”

Albacete’s heroes: Betancor, Jefté and a collective that believed

Betancor will own the headline for the winner, but Albacete’s run is broader than one name. Jefté has been lively in this season’s cup—2 goals and 1 assist in 3 matches—and A. Puertas has chipped in with a goal over his three ties as well. Those numbers point to a team effort, a group sharing the load rather than waiting for one savior.

The key was their balance: enough threat in attack to keep Madrid honest, enough grit in defense to make every duel matter. In a cup competition, that blend is gold.

History flips: From 2005 to 2026

These clubs have crossed paths before, most notably in LaLiga on April 3, 2005, when Real Madrid edged a tight meeting, Albacete 1-2 Real Madrid. That day, the heavyweight did just enough. This time, the underdog paid Madrid back with interest. Football’s long memory will file both nights together—one a reminder of Madrid’s past grind, the other a symbol of Albacete’s modern-day joy.

“Albacete didn’t just survive—they took the game to Madrid when it mattered.”

Tactical and mental takeaways

• Game management: Madrid had chances but couldn’t calm the tie after scoring. In knockout football, control is king.
• Set pieces and second balls: Albacete’s belief in the messy moments paid off. They stayed switched on in the box.
• Transitions: When Madrid lost the ball, Albacete moved it quickly and with purpose. That courage changed the tone.

This match shows why the Copa del Rey is loved. One team played without fear; the other couldn’t lock the door. The scoreboard told the truth.

What it means for both clubs

For Albacete: This is a landmark win. It builds pride in the city and belief in the dressing room. It proves they can meet pressure and still play. It also gives the squad a priceless lesson in handling big moments together.

For Real Madrid: It’s a reset button. The early exit forces a rethink of roles, rotations, and game plans under Arbeloa. There’s no time to dwell. The response must be quick, clear, and strong.

The bigger picture in the 2025-26 Copa del Rey

With Real Madrid out in the Round of 16, the bracket opens for other contenders, and for ambitious underdogs who now believe even more. Albacete will carry this win into the next round with energy and unity. The message is simple: why stop now?

For Madrid, there will be questions. But there is also a chance to tighten the details that decide big matches—defensive shape, pressing triggers, and focus late in games. If they learn those lessons fast, this painful night can still shape a better season.

Final word

Albacete 3-2 Real Madrid is the kind of scoreline that moves a country. Betancor’s dramatic winner will stay in highlight reels and in hearts. Arbeloa’s debut defeat will sting, but it can also mark the start of growth and change. Above all, this match is a reminder of the Copa del Rey’s spirit: on any given night, courage and belief can beat status and size.

Albacete earned this. Real Madrid must respond. That’s cup football—brutal, beautiful, and never, ever boring.