Arbeloa: Madrid Copa exit to 2nd-tier side 'painful'

January 15, 2026

Álvaro Arbeloa's debut as Real Madrid's coach ended in disappointment as the team suffered a 3-2 defeat to Albacete, a second-tier side. The loss, marked by a dramatic last-minute goal from Jefte Betancor, represents Albacete's first-ever victory over Madrid, highlighting the challenges facing Arbeloa in his new role.

Arbeloa: Madrid Copa exit to 2nd-tier side 'painful'

Credit: Go

Key Highlights

Real Madrid lost 3-2 to Albacete in the Copa del Rey.
The match featured a last-minute winning goal from Jefte Betancor.
Albacete, currently 17th in the second division, achieved their first win over Madrid.
Álvaro Arbeloa took responsibility for the defeat and rested senior players.
This match was Arbeloa's debut as manager of Real Madrid.

football Sport Real Madrid Albacete Copa del Rey

Sources

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Arbeloa: Madrid Copa exit to 2nd-tier side 'painful'

Key Highlights

Sources

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