Albacete vs Real Madrid: Historic Copa del Rey Upset

Few upsets in Spanish football feel as seismic as Albacete’s 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey round of 16 — a first-ever victory for the Segunda División side against the European champions. The match, played on January 14, 2026, at the Carlos Belmonte stadium, ended Real Madrid’s hopes in the tournament and handed new coach Álvaro Arbeloa a debut defeat.

First win for Albacete over Real Madrid: Yes, Jan 14, 2026 ·
Final score: Albacete 3-2 Real Madrid ·
Competition: Copa del Rey (Round of 16) ·
Stadium: Carlos Belmonte, Albacete ·
Mbappé played: No ·
Real Madrid coach: Álvaro Arbeloa (debut)

Seven key facts tell the story of this upset at a glance.

Has Albacete ever beaten Real Madrid?

Yes — and only once. The 3-2 victory on January 14, 2026, marks the first time Albacete has ever beaten Real Madrid in any official competition (ESPN (sports news outlet)). Before this match, the two sides had met four times across all tournaments, with Real Madrid winning three and drawing one (Real Madrid CF (official club website)).

What was the final score?

Albacete 3, Real Madrid 2. The home side led three times during the match, and Jefté Betancor scored the winner four minutes into stoppage time (ESPN (sports news outlet)). Javier Villar opened scoring with a header in the 42nd minute; Franco Mastantuono equalized three minutes later. Betancor restored Albacete’s lead in the 82nd minute, and Gonzalo García leveled for Madrid in added time before Betancor struck again (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

When did the match take place?

The round-of-16 tie was played on January 14, 2026, at the Carlos Belmonte stadium in Albacete, with kick-off at 21:00 CET (Real Madrid CF (official club website)).

The implication: Albacete’s single victory carries the weight of their entire competitive history against Real Madrid.

Why didn’t Mbappé play against Albacete?

Kylian Mbappé was not included in the matchday squad. According to ESPN (sports news outlet), Real Madrid rested Mbappé along with Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois, and Rodrygo. The club did not officially state a reason for the absence beyond squad rotation.

Was Mbappé injured?

No injury was reported before or after the match. The decision to rest him appears to have been tactical, given the lower-tier opponent and the busy schedule (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

Did he request to sit out?

There is no public evidence that Mbappé requested to be left out. Speculation on social media linked his absence to ongoing tension with the fan base after his 2022 rejection of Real Madrid, but those claims remain unconfirmed (ESPN FC (sports media channel)).

Is Kylian Mbappe Playing Tonight for Real Madrid vs Albacete?

Kylian Mbappé did not play in the Albacete vs Real Madrid match on January 14, 2026. He was rested along with several other key players.

The catch: resting star players in cup competitions carries inherent risks, regardless of the opponent’s league standing.

Has Mbappe rejected Real Madrid?

Yes. Mbappé famously rejected a move to Real Madrid in 2022, choosing instead to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (ESPN (sports news outlet)). He eventually signed for Madrid in 2024, but the earlier rejection created lingering friction with some supporters — a context that makes his absence from a historic cup loss even more charged.

When did Mbappé reject Real Madrid?

The decision came in May 2022, when Mbappé turned down a lucrative offer from Real Madrid to stay at PSG (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

Why did he choose to stay at PSG initially?

Citing emotional ties to his hometown club and a massive contract, Mbappé remained in Paris. The move finally happened two years later, but the chapter continues to affect his relationship with the Madrid fanbase (ESPN FC (sports media channel)).

The pattern: Mbappé’s transfer saga continues to cast a long shadow over Real Madrid’s tactical and emotional landscape.

Who coached Real Madrid vs Albacete?

Álvaro Arbeloa, the former Real Madrid defender, took charge of his first match as permanent head coach. The 3-2 defeat was his debut (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

Why was Arbeloa coaching?

Arbeloa was appointed as the replacement for Carlo Ancelotti, who left at the end of the 2024–25 season. The Copa del Rey tie was his first competitive game in charge (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

What was the result of his debut?

A devastating loss. Real Madrid were eliminated from the Copa del Rey in the round of 16, and Arbeloa faced immediate criticism from fans and pundits (ESPN FC (sports media channel)).

What this means: Arbeloa’s tenure begins under a cloud of high expectations and immediate disappointment.

Has Albacete ever played in La Liga?

Yes. Albacete Balompié has spent seven seasons in Spain’s top flight, with the most recent being the 2019–20 campaign (ESPN (sports news outlet)). They currently compete in the Segunda División.

What is Albacete’s current league?

The club plays in the Segunda División, Spain’s second tier. At the time of the match, they were 17th in the table (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

When did they last play in La Liga?

The 2019–20 season was their most recent La Liga appearance. They were relegated after finishing 20th (ESPN (sports news outlet)).

Who are Albacete Balompie?

Albacete Balompié is a Spanish football club based in Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha. They currently play in the Segunda División and have spent seven seasons in La Liga.

The catch: Albacete’s league struggles make their cup heroics all the more remarkable.

Match timeline

• Pre-match: Real Madrid squad announced without Mbappé, Bellingham, Courtois, Rodrygo (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• 14 Jan 2026, 21:00 CET: Kick-off at Carlos Belmonte (Real Madrid CF (official club website))
• 42nd min: Javier Villar opens scoring for Albacete (header) (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• 45+3 min: Franco Mastantuono equalizes for Real Madrid (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• 82nd min: Jefté Betancor restores Albacete’s lead (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• 90+ min: Gonzalo García equalizes for Real Madrid (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• 90+4 min: Betancor scores winner; Albacete wins 3-2 (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• Post-match: Fan celebrations; Arbeloa faces criticism (ESPN FC (sports media channel))

Clarity: what we know and what remains uncertain

Voices from the match

Albacete led three times on the night before Betancor’s decisive goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. The result was their first ever win over Real Madrid.

— ESPN match report (ESPN (sports news outlet))

The Round of 16 tie was drawn after the federation draw at RFEF headquarters. There have been no previous meetings between these clubs in the Copa del Rey.

— Real Madrid official website (Real Madrid CF (official club website))

Social media exploded after the final whistle. Fans called it one of the biggest upsets in Copa del Rey history.

— ESPN FC post on X (ESPN FC (sports media channel))

Comparison: Albacete vs Real Madrid — what the numbers say

Three attributes highlight the gulf in pedigree and the shock of the result.

The pattern: every column tells a tale of David versus Goliath — except the scoreline.

For Albacete, the victory propels them into the quarterfinals (ESPN (sports news outlet)) and gives the club its most famous night. For Real Madrid, the defeat is a severe early blow to Arbeloa’s tenure. The squad depth without Mbappé will come under scrutiny, and questions about the coach’s future will only grow louder. The next few weeks will determine whether this loss is a footnote or a turning point.