Overview
- Jefte Betancor struck in stoppage time to seal a 3-2 upset after Gonzalo García had leveled for Madrid in added time.
- Arbeloa rested Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo and included B-team players in his first lineup.
- The hosts led through Javi Villar before Franco Mastantuono equalized, Betancor put Albacete ahead on 82 minutes, and then won it at the Carlos Belmonte.
- Arbeloa called the defeat a “tragedy,” accepted full responsibility and said he would “do the same again” with his selection.
- Albacete, 17th in the Segunda División, recorded their first ever win over Madrid, sending them to the quarterfinals and increasing pressure on the new coach.