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.
253 Articles
253 Articles
MADRID.- Real Madrid lives one of its most difficult moments in years, after a shocking 3–2 defeat against Albacete in the eighth finals of the Copa del Rey, a second division team, which marked a humiliating elimination in the KO tournament. This defeat occurred a few days after the club dispensed with Xabi Alonso as a coach, creating uncertainty about the sports leadership and leaving the new technician Álvaro Arbeloa with a difficult mission …
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...
The era of Alvaro Arbeloa begins at Real Madrid with a debacle. The tree burns in the capital lighterloh.
After the removal of the Spanish Cup, suffered before the Albacete team (3-2), Alvaro Arbeloa tried to defend his team in front of the press. The new coach of the Real Madrid team wanted to be positive despite the disaster.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
