Albacete pulled off a stunning Copa del Rey upset on Wednesday, scoring twice in second-half stoppage time to eliminate Real Madrid 3-2 in a chaotic finish at the Carlos Belmonte.
The hosts struck first through Javi Villar in the 42nd minute, heading home from José Carlos Lazo's corner delivery to give the second-division side a 1-0 halftime lead. Real Madrid responded in first-half stoppage time when Franco Mastantuono pounced on a rebound after Dean Huijsen's header was saved, leveling the score at 1-1 before the break.
The match remained deadlocked through much of the second half until substitute Jefté Betancor broke the stalemate in the 82nd minute, volleying home to restore Albacete's advantage. The drama intensified in stoppage time when Gonzalo García's header in the 91st minute appeared to force extra time for the visitors.
However, Betancor delivered the ultimate shock, firing home his second goal in the 94th minute on a counterattack to seal a historic 3-2 victory and eliminate the Spanish giants in Álvaro Arbeloa's debut as Real Madrid coach.
Despite dominating possession and outshooting their opponents, Real Madrid's defensive lapses proved costly against a resilient Albacete side that capitalized on set pieces and late opportunities. Betancor emerged as the hero with his decisive brace, while the defeat marks a disastrous start to the Arbeloa era following Xabi Alonso's recent departure.
The stunning result sends Albacete into the Copa del Rey quarterfinals for a historic achievement, while Real Madrid must regroup and focus on their remaining La Liga and Champions League campaigns.