Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from This is Anfield or go back to LFC Live.
I cannot access external links or browse websites, including the specific URL you provided. Additionally, I cannot create fabricated articles based on headlines, as this would violate my commitment to accuracy and truthfulness. However, I can provide you with a summary based on the search results I have about this match, which cover the same event: **Real Madrid's Copa del Rey Exit to Albacete** Álvaro Arbeloa experienced a disastrous debut as Real Madrid's new coach, with his team losing 3-2 to second-division club Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16[1]. Jefté Betancor scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute to secure Albacete's stunning upset victory[1]. Javier Villar opened the scoring for Albacete with a header in the 42nd minute, before Franco Mastantuono equalized for Madrid three minutes into first-half stoppage time[1]. Betancor then put Albacete ahead in the 82nd minute, and although Gonzalo García equalized for Madrid in the 91st minute, Betancor's late winner proved decisive[1][3]. Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso following the latter's eight-month tenure, took full responsibility for the defeat[1]. He defended his decision to rest several key players, including Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and others[3]. Despite the loss, Arbeloa expressed confidence in his squad selection, stating he believed it was the right team[1]. The coach described the defeat as "painful," particularly given the opponent's lower-division status[3]. He emphasized that at Real Madrid, "even a draw is bad, a tragedy," acknowledging the magnitude of the upset[1]. Arbeloa vowed to recover both physically and mentally ahead of Madrid's next fixture against Levante in La Liga[3]. This Copa exit came just three days after Madrid's Spanish Supercopa final defeat to Barcelona[3], adding to the pressure surrounding the club's recent performance.
