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Real Madrid's Copa del Rey Dream Ends in 3-2 Thriller vs Albacete

Real Madrid's Copa del Rey campaign ended in a shocking 3-2 defeat to second-tier Albacete. Substitute Jefte Betancor was the hero, scoring twice including a last-gasp winner. Madrid had equalized twice, first through Franco Mastantuono and then via a Gonzalo header in stoppage time. The dramatic loss sees the giants eliminated from the competition.

Key Points: Real Madrid Knocked Out of Copa del Rey by Albacete

  • Albacete stuns Real Madrid 3-2
  • Jefte Betancor scores dramatic late winner
  • Gonzalo's stoppage-time header leveled it
  • Madrid eliminated in Copa del Rey round of 16
2 min read

Real Madrid out of Copa del Rey after suffering a 3-2 defeat against Albacete

Real Madrid suffers a dramatic 3-2 defeat to second-division Albacete, crashing out of the Copa del Rey in the round of 16.

"Everything seemed destined for extra time, but in the dying moments of the game, Jefte scored and sent Albacete through. - Match Report"

Albacete, January 15

Real Madrid's Copa del Rey campaign came to an end with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Albacete in the last round-of-16 stage.

Substitute Jefte Betancor scored twice as second-tier Albacete pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory, as per the Real Madrid website.

Albacete took the lead in the 42nd minute with Javi Villar's header from a corner kick, courtesy of a precise cross from Jose Lazo.

Real Madrid equalised just before halftime, thanks to Franco Mastantuono's quick reaction to pounce on the rebound after Dean Huijsen's header was saved by Albacete goalkeeper Raul Lizoain, following Arda Guler's corner kick.

The score was 1-1 at half-time, and after the break, Arbeloa's side took control of the game. They almost took the lead again from a set piece. Arda Guler took a free-kick in the 68th minute, and Gonzalo's header narrowly missed the target.

Real Madrid kept pushing, with Palacios and Manuel Angel making their debuts, but in the 82nd minute, Jefte made it 2-1 for Albacete.

There were just over ten minutes left to equalise, and the Whites grabbed an equaliser in stoppage time after a series of corners.

Arda Guler played the ball in again, and this time it was Gonzalo who scored with a beautiful header. Everything seemed destined for extra time, but in the dying moments of the game, Jefte scored and sent Albacete through to the next round.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a Madridista living in Delhi, this hurts. But you have to admit, it was a thrilling match. Conceding twice to the same substitute in the last 10 minutes is just poor game management. Ancelotti has some questions to answer.
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Arjun K
Heartbreak for Madrid fans here in Mumbai! We equalized twice, showed great spirit, but the defense fell asleep at the worst possible moment. Focus on La Liga and the Champions League now. Hala Madrid!
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Priya S
Respectfully, I think the team selection was wrong. Playing so many young debutants in a knockout game was a big risk. The inexperience showed in those final minutes. A tough lesson, but hopefully they learn from it.
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Vikram M
Football is truly unpredictable! This is like our IPL upsets. Big names don't always win. Huge congratulations to Albacete - they wanted it more. Jefte Betancor will remember this night forever!
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Karthik V
Watching this with my friends in Bangalore was an emotional rollercoaster! 😅 From hope to despair. Arda Guler's deliveries were superb, but we just couldn't hold on. On to the next one.

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