Alvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid tenure started on the worst possible note, as Los Blancos fell to Segunda-division side Albacete in the Copa del Rey Round of 16.
Los Blancos have now lost two cup ties in four days, with the first one coming against arch-rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final.
The Super Cup defeat cost Xabi Alonso his job, with Arbeloa replacing him as interim manager.
Albacete Make History With Real Madrid Win
In his first press conference, Arbeloa claimed he understood Real Madrid’s demands, and emphasised he was only focused on winning. The Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash with Albacete looked like a promising jumping-off point.
Arbeloa fielded a strong XI, featuring the likes of Vinicius Jr., Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, and Dean Huijsen. Real Madrid Castilla midfielder Jorge Cestero and right-back David Jimenez were surprising inclusions, as the Spanish coach tried to make his mark.
Real Madrid created a few early chances, but it was Albacete who scored first through Javi Villar in the 42nd minute. Franco Mastantuono equalised for Los Blancos in first-half stoppage time, but the hosts remained unfazed.
They made it 2-1 through Jefte Betancor in the 82nd minute, before Gonzalo Garcia restored parity in the first minute of stoppage time. As everyone was preparing for extra time, Betancor scored the winner in the fourth minute of injury time.
❌ Second division side Albacete beat and eliminate Real Madrid from the Copa del Rey!
Álvaro Arbeloa loses his first game as Real Madrid manager. pic.twitter.com/ibQMvNn2QF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 14, 2026
The hosts held on for the final couple of minutes to record their first-ever victory over 15-time European champions Real Madrid.
Interestingly, Albacete are in 17th place in the Segunda division and have not won any of their last four league matches (D 2, L 2).
Real Madrid’s last Copa del Rey exit to a non-LaLiga team came in 2021 when third-tier side Alcoyano beat them 2-1. Their previous defeat against a second-tier team came on 13 December 2000, when they lost 2-1 to CD Toledo.
Arbeloa Sets Unwanted Debut Record at Real Madrid
Before the defeat to Albacete on Wednesday, Julen Lopetegui was the only one of the last nine Real Madrid managers to start their stint with a defeat (W 5, D 3). He lost 4-2 to Atletico Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup.
Now, Arbeloa has joined him on the unwanted list, suggesting that sacking Alonso was not the solution Real Madrid were looking for. He has also become the third manager in Real Madrid’s history to lose a title in his debut outing, succeeding Guus Hiddink (1998 UEFA Super Cup vs Chelsea) and Lopetegui.
The debut defeat serves as a bad omen for Arbeloa, as Lopetegui had an infamously short spell in charge of the first team.
Álvaro Arbeloa: “It’s my fault. I’m the maximum responsible for this loss”.
“We now think about La Liga and the Champions League, which are our great goals”. pic.twitter.com/BnNFUNJZUl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 15, 2026
The Spaniard was sacked after just 14 games in charge. Under his tutelage, Los Merengues won six, drew two, and lost six matches. However, none of his defeats came against a team playing in a lower division.
Before the game on Wednesday, Guti warned Arbeloa about the Real Madrid job. The Copa del Rey defeat has only amplified the former midfielder’s concerns, leaving the manager with a mountain to climb in the coming weeks.
Arbeloa’s Real Madrid return to action on Saturday, with a LaLiga clash against Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu.
