Real Madrid suffer a shock defeat and are eliminated from the Copa del Rey.

Early this morning, January 15th, in their very first match after sacking coach Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid suffered a major shock, losing 2-3 to lower-division side Albacete and being eliminated from the Copa del Rey.

Albacete defeated Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the Spanish King's Cup - Photo: REUTERS

Coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who took over as Real Madrid's head coach shortly after Alonso was sacked, had a disappointing debut. Against lower-division side Albacete, Arbeloa fielded a team with many reserve players.

The quality of play from Real Madrid's reserve team was quite poor. The players lacked sharpness, making it difficult for many fans to recognize the Royal team on the pitch.

Starting players like Vinicius, Federico Valverde, and Dean Huijsen were also lackluster and failed to make a difference compared to the substitutes.

With that style of play, the Royal team conceded a goal to Albacete in the 43rd minute after a shot by Javier Villar del Fraile. But before halftime, Real Madrid managed to equalize 1-1 thanks to Franco Mastantuono's goal in the 45+3 minute.

Vinicius was lackluster on the day Real Madrid were eliminated from the Copa del Rey - Photo: REUTERS

Albacete took the lead again thanks to Jefte Betancor's goal in the 82nd minute. In the 90+2 minute, Gonzalo García scored to equalize for Real Madrid at 2-2. But the fans at Estádio Carlos Belmonte erupted in joy when Jefte Betancor scored in the 90+4 minute to seal a 3-2 victory for Albacete.

Albacete eliminated Real Madrid from the Copa del Rey – a tournament the Royal team had reached the final of the previous season. This was a major shock for Spanish football and also a warning to Real Madrid's new coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, about the difficulties that await him.

HOAI DU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/real-madrid-thua-soc-bi-loai-khoi-cup-nha-vua-tay-ban-nha-20260115063843589.htm