Albacete Shocks Real Madrid with Historic 3-2 Copa del Rey Victory

In a stunning upset during the Copa del Rey round of 16, Albacete achieved a historic 3-2 victory over Real Madrid at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium on January 14, 2026. This marked Albacete’s first-ever win against Real Madrid in 15 previous encounters, sending shockwaves through Spanish football.

Albacete’s triumph was sealed by Jefté Betancor, who scored twice, including the decisive goal in the 94th minute. Javi Villar opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, providing Albacete with an early advantage. Real Madrid, under the new leadership of coach Álvaro Arbeloa—who was making his debut—struggled to find consistent form. Despite equalizing twice through Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo García, Madrid couldn’t overcome the persistent pressure from Albacete.

Real Madrid’s performance was notably affected by the absence of key players and a lack of depth. This defeat follows their recent loss in the Supercopa de España final to FC Barcelona and appears to have intensified the club’s challenges. The elimination evokes memories of past humiliations in the Copa del Rey, such as the 2009 'Alcorconazo' and the unexpected loss to Alcoyano in 2021.

Jefté Betancor’s heroics were particularly remarkable given his journey; the 32-year-old has played across various leagues including Cyprus, Romania, Austria, and Greece, where he was top scorer last season. He revealed that nine years ago he almost quit football, making this moment even more significant. Betancor expressed his elation, saying, “It’s the greatest thing that has happened in football. These are the moments one dreams of as a child. I’m very happy for my team, who worked hard to eliminate one of the best teams in the world.”

Currently positioned 17th in the Segunda División, just above the relegation zone, Albacete’s cup victory is a bright highlight in an otherwise tough season. Fans and players celebrated wildly at the stadium, with many calling for Betancor to remain a permanent fixture in the club.

This match not only marks a major historic achievement for Albacete but also presents immediate pressure on Real Madrid and coach Arbeloa, who must now regroup after a disappointing start to his tenure.