87’ Arda Güler (Real Madrid) had a left-footed shot from the right side of the box, assisted by César Palacios, but his attempt was blocked.

82´ Gooal! Albacete 2, Real Madrid 1. Jefté Betancor (Albacete) scored with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the top left corner following a corner kick.

81´Agus Medina (Albacete) had a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it was blocked.

73’ Missed shot by Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) — a right-footed attempt from the left side of the box.

64´Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) took a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it was blocked.

52´Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) took a right-footed shot from the left side of the box following a cross from David Jiménez, but his low strike was stopped on the goal line.

HALFTIME

45'+3' Gooooal! Albacete 1, Real Madrid 1. Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid) scored with a left-footed shot from close range into the center of the goal following a corner.

42´Gooal! Albacete 1, Real Madrid 0. Javi Villar (Albacete) headed the ball from the center of the box following a corner to put his team ahead.

30´ Lorenzo Aguado (Albacete) tried a left-footed shot from outside the box following a pass from Ale Meléndez, but the ball went over and to the left of the goal.

23´Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid) headed a shot from the center of the box following a cross from Vinícius Júnior, but his attempt was blocked.

14´ José Carlos Lazo (Albacete) took a left-footed shot from the right side of the box, but the ball went wide to the right of the goal.

5´ Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) tried a left-footed shot from outside the box following a corner from Arda Güler, but the ball went slightly wide, just past the left post.

KICK OFF

ALBACETE

LINE UP

REAL MADRID 

LINE UP

Real Madrid begins a new era this Wednesday in the Copa del Rey Round of 16. After the tough blow of losing the Supercopa to Barcelona and Xabi Alonso’s dismissal, the white team returns to the competition with a new occupant on the bench.

On a mission to secure qualification, Real Madrid travels to La Mancha for Álvaro Arbeloa’s debut as the white team’s coach. A victory against Albacete is crucial to calm the waters and move forward confidently toward the draw for the next round of the cup.

Real Madrid begins a critical period that will test the depth of their squad. With six matches scheduled across three different competitions before February 1, the white team has no room for error. After the cup clash, the Santiago Bernabéu will host two key fixtures: Levante’s visit in LaLiga and the 2026 European debut against Monaco in the Champions League.

The mentality of the new coach

In his first appearance before the media, Álvaro Arbeloa showed a firm and optimistic attitude toward the challenge of managing the Merengue bench:

"We have an extraordinary squad and a group of players ready for any challenge, fully aware of what it means to defend this badge," said the Salamanca-born coach, downplaying the issue of fixture congestion.

Arbeloa also made it clear that his absolute priority is tonight’s match, aware that in the Copa del Rey there is no room for error:

"I am extremely eager to make my debut. We are in a competition where everything is at stake in a single game, and right now my mind is focused solely on this match."

The Albacete vs. Real Madrid Copa del Rey clash

TIME: 2 PM ET / 9 PM PT

STADIUM: Municipal Carlos Belmonte

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