US EditionReal Madrid ousted from Copa by 2nd-division club Albacete in debut of coach Arbeloa
Jefte Betancor scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, to eliminate Real Madrid in Álvaro Arbeloa’s first match as coach, marking a historic Copa del Rey upset.
- Wednesday's Copa del Rey round of 16 saw Arbeloa's debut end with Real Madrid eliminated 3-2 at Albacete, Spain, after Betancor's stoppage-time winner.
- Promoted on Monday, Alvaro Arbeloa replaced Xabi Alonso with little preparation after coaching Real Madrid's B-team for two decades.
- Albacete opened the scoring when Javi Villar headed in at 42', Franco Mastantuono equalised before half-time, and substitute Jefte Betancor scored twice including stoppage-time winner.
- The defeat triggered immediate consequences as Marca ran a front-page 'Total Debacle', and Alvaro Arbeloa accepted blame, saying `If anyone is responsible, it's me...`, facing a hostile Santiago Bernabéu crowd against Levante Saturday.
- By resting stars including Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois, Arbeloa saw Real Madrid concede three goals from five shots despite 78% possession, while 17,000 fans cheered Albacete's historic quarter-final place.
258 Articles
258 Articles
Copa del Rey: 'Absolute failure' - Santiago Canizares slams Real Madrid after Albacete defeat
A former Real Madrid goalkeeper, Santiago Canizares, has criticized his old team after they were unexpectedly knocked out of the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid lost 3-2 to a team from the second division, Albacete, and were eliminated in the Round of 16 on Wednesday. The loss to Albacete was also the first game for the new head coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, who started his role this week after taking over from Xabi Alonso. Alonso was sacked by the Spanish t…
Gerard Pique takes sarcastic jibe at Alvaro Arbeloa after Real Madrid's shock defeat to second-tier Albacete: 'Good debut...'
Without some of their key players including Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid suffered an embarassing 3-2 loss to second division side Albacete in a dramatic match in the Round of 16 of the Copa Del Rey.
Journeyman Jefte the former electrician shocks Real Madrid
ALBACETE, Spain, Jan 15 : Albacete's journeyman striker Jefte Betancor, who scored a stunning double on Wednesday to help his second-tier side knock Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey, once considered swapping football for a career as an electrician. The 32-year-old forward came off the bench in the second h
Gerard Pique mocks new Real Madrid manager on WhatsApp after club's exit from Copa del Rey
Gerard Pique has taken aim at his long-standing rival Alvaro Arbeloa through a mocking WhatsApp message following Real Madrid's humiliating Copa del Rey elimination on Wednesday evening.The Spanish giants suffered a stunning 3-2 loss to Albacete, a club languishing in the second division, marking a disastrous debut for Arbeloa in the dugout.Shortly after the final whistle, the former Barcelona defender sent a sardonic message to a private group …
Barcelona legend Gerard Pique reignited his old feud with new Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, with a sarcastic comment via WhatsApp after the latter's disastrous start in his first match at the helm of the Royal Club's coaching staff...
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