Real Madrid fell to a shock 3-2 defeat in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Wednesday as Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut as coach ended in humiliation by second-tier opposition.
Appointed on Monday to replace Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa saw his side knocked out after Jefte Betancor’scored a stoppage-time winner at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.
Without French superstar Kylian Mbappe and several other key players, Arbeloa’s side struggled against a side currently 17th in Spain’s second division.
Albacete took the lead through Javi Villar, but Franco Mastantuono equalised just before half-time.
Jefte put the hosts back ahead after 82 minutes and then scored the winner after Gonzalo Garcia’s 91st-minute goal looked to have forced extra time for the 15-time European champions.
After Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday against rivals Barcelona, president Florentino Perez replaced Alonso with reserve team coach Arbeloa.
The Spaniard selected two players now currently playing in the reserves he led until Monday — holding midfielder Jorge Cestero and right-back David Jimenez.
The first half was mostly played under heavy gloom, not just Madrid’s mood but an intense fog that set in a few minutes into the game.
Vinicius Junior smashed high and wide from long range as neither side produced any clear chances until shortly before half-time, when the hosts took a shock lead.
Villar escaped Mastantuono’s attentions at a corner and nodded Albacete in front after 42 minutes.
Arbeloa’s team equalise before the intervals, once again making use of a corner with Mastantuono nodding in from close distance.
Albacete held Madrid in check after the break and then burst into life in attack to regain the advantage.
Andriy Lunin partied an attempt from Riki, but moment later,Jefte put Alberto Gonzalez’s side ahead.
Gonzalo Garcia’s clearance dropped to the forward inside the area, and he drove it downwards, with the ball bouncing up and flashing past Lunin.
Madrid’s young attacker redeemed himself by bringing his side back on level terms in stoppage time with a fine head.
However, there was a a cruel twist as Jefte delivered a stunning finish over Lunin to seal a famous late victory for Albacete.
