Arbeloa’s Real Madrid Crash Out of Copa del Rey in Debut Upset at Albacete

A youth-heavy selection with high-profile omissions faces immediate scrutiny.

Overview

Second-division Albacete won 3-2 as substitute Jefte struck twice late, including a stoppage-time winner.
The match marked Álvaro Arbeloa’s first game in charge following Xabi Alonso’s departure after the Supercopa defeat to Barcelona.
Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois were left out by technical decision, while Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy were unavailable with physical problems.
Arbeloa promoted five Castilla players for the tie: defenders Joan Martínez and David Jiménez plus midfielders Manuel Ángel, César Palacios and Jorge Cestero.
Coverage highlighted a subdued display from Vinícius Júnior, with little end product and no shots on target.