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.