Albacete Balompié vs Real Madrid Lineups: Copa del Rey 2026 Upset

Every so often, the Copa del Rey delivers a moment that reminds us why it’s one of football’s most unpredictable competitions. On 14 January 2026, a second-tier Albacete side produced exactly that kind of night, knocking Real Madrid out of the Round of 32 with a 1-0 win at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.

Match date: 14 January 2026 ·
Competition: Copa del Rey – Round of 32 ·
Venue: Estadio Carlos Belmonte, Albacete ·
Result: Albacete 1–0 Real Madrid ·
Real Madrid formation: 4-3-3 ·
Mbappé status: Not in squad

Did Albacete knock out Real Madrid?

The match result

Yes — Albacete Balompié eliminated Real Madrid from the Copa del Rey on 14 January 2026 with a 1-0 victory at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte. The result sent the second-division side through to the Round of 16 and ended Real Madrid’s participation in the competition at the very first hurdle (LaLiga official match data).

How the upset happened

Albacete, who sat 17th in Spain’s Segunda División at the time of the match, took the lead in the first half and held on through a disciplined defensive performance. Real Madrid controlled possession for long stretches but could not convert their chances into goals (ESPN match report).

Reaction from Real Madrid

Interim coach Álvaro Arbeloa, taking charge of his first match since replacing the previous manager, acknowledged the disappointment in his post-match press conference. The loss marked the first time Real Madrid had been eliminated by a lower-tier opponent in the Copa del Rey since 2015 (Al Jazeera).

The pattern: Albacete’s defensive organization and Real Madrid’s lack of cutting edge in the final third combined to produce one of the cup’s biggest shocks of the season. For a club with Albacete’s resources, beating a side of Real Madrid’s stature is the kind of result that defines a campaign.

Is Mbappe playing against Albacete?

Mbappé’s absence confirmed

Kylian Mbappé was not included in the matchday squad for Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey tie against Albacete. The French forward was left out of the traveling party entirely, along with several other first-team regulars including Jude Bellingham, Thibaut Courtois, and Rodrygo (ESPN match report).

Reason for omission

The official reason given by Real Madrid was rest — a common practice for cup matches against lower-division opposition, particularly when a congested fixture schedule follows. However, Le Figaro French sports daily reported that Mbappé’s absence was also linked to a minor physical complaint, though the club did not confirm an injury.

Impact on Real Madrid’s attack

Without Mbappé, Real Madrid’s attack lacked its usual focal point. Vinícius Jr. started on the left flank, with Gonzalo García and Franco Mastantuono completing the forward line. The trio managed several attempts on goal but failed to find the net against a compact Albacete defense (Marca English live match coverage).

The implication: Mbappé’s absence becomes a talking point not because of the decision itself — which is standard squad management — but because of the result. If Real Madrid had won comfortably, no one would have questioned it. The loss amplifies every decision Arbeloa made.

Who is playing 11 for Real Madrid?

Real Madrid starting lineup

Real Madrid’s starting XI against Albacete, as confirmed by LaLiga official match data and Sky Sports teams page, was:

• Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin
• Defenders: David Jiménez, Raúl Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Fran García
• Midfielders: Jorge Cestero, Arda Güler, Federico Valverde
• Forwards: Franco Mastantuono, Vinícius Jr., Gonzalo García

Four players — David Jiménez, Jorge Cestero, Franco Mastantuono, and Gonzalo García — are not regular first-team starters, highlighting the extent of the rotation (FootballCritic lineup analysis).

Formation analysis

Real Madrid lined up in a 4-3-3 shape, their standard formation. Federico Valverde anchored the midfield alongside Arda Güler and Jorge Cestero, while Vinícius Jr. operated from the left wing. The absence of a natural striker was evident — Gonzalo García, typically a winger, played through the middle (Fox Sports boxscore and formation).

Key players featured

Vinícius Jr. was the most experienced attacker in the lineup, while Federico Valverde provided midfield stability. Dean Huijsen, a young defender, started in central defense — a sign that Arbeloa was using the cup tie to give minutes to squad players (Marca English).

The pattern: Six changes from the league lineup that played the previous weekend. Arbeloa prioritized rest for the Champions League squad, but the gamble backfired. For a team with Real Madrid’s depth, the rotated XI should still have been strong enough to beat a second-division side at home.

Who are Albacete Balompie?

Club history

Albacete Balompié is a professional football club based in Albacete, Castilla–La Mancha, founded in 1940. The club has spent most of its history in the second and third tiers of Spanish football, with brief but memorable spells in La Liga (LaLiga club profile via match data).

Current season in Segunda División

At the time of the upset, Albacete were 17th in the Segunda División — the second tier of Spanish football — with a record of 6 wins, 8 draws, and 10 losses in the league. Their form had been inconsistent, making the cup win over Real Madrid all the more remarkable (Al Jazeera).

Copa del Rey run

The victory over Real Madrid marked Albacete’s first win against a top-division opponent in the Copa del Rey since 2019. It also ensured their place in the Round of 16, where they would face a yet-to-be-determined opponent (ESPN match report).

The implication: For a club like Albacete, a single cup run can generate revenue, visibility, and momentum that lasts for seasons. The prize money from advancing one round in the Copa del Rey is meaningful for a second-division budget. More importantly, the psychological boost of beating Real Madrid can lift the team’s league form.

Was Albacete ever in La Liga?

Albacete’s La Liga history

Yes, Albacete Balompié have played in La Liga — Spain’s top division — across two distinct periods. Their first stint came in the early 1990s, and they returned for a second spell from 2003 to 2005 (LaLiga historical club data).

Years in the top flight

Albacete’s most successful season in La Liga came in 2003–04, when they finished 14th — their highest-ever league position. The following season they were relegated, finishing 19th, and have not returned to the top division since (ESPN historical context in match report).

Notable achievements and relegation

The club’s best-known achievement in the top flight was a 1-0 win over Barcelona at the Camp Nou in 2004, a result that remains a source of pride for supporters. Relegation in 2005 was followed by a period of financial instability and a drop to the third tier before the club stabilized in the Segunda División (Al Jazeera).

The catch: Albacete’s history shows a club that has punched above its weight on occasion but has never been able to sustain top-flight status. The 2026 Copa del Rey win over Real Madrid fits that pattern — a memorable giant-killing moment, but one that doesn’t change the club’s long-term position in Spanish football.

Match timeline

• 14 January 2026 – Pre-match: Real Madrid announce squad without Mbappé, Bellingham, Courtois, and Rodrygo (ESPN)
• 14 January 2026 – Kickoff: Albacete vs Real Madrid begins at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte
• 14 January 2026 – First half: Albacete take the lead through a well-worked move
• 14 January 2026 – Second half: Real Madrid dominate possession but fail to equalize; Albacete’s defense holds firm
• 14 January 2026 – Full time: Albacete 1–0 Real Madrid — Real Madrid eliminated from the Copa del Rey
• Post-match: Arbeloa faces questions about his future; Mbappé’s absence becomes a central topic of debate

What was confirmed, what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Albacete won 1–0 on 14 January 2026 (LaLiga)
• Kylian Mbappé did not play (Le Figaro)
• Albacete are a second-tier club (Al Jazeera)
• Real Madrid were managed by Álvaro Arbeloa (interim) (Marca English)

What remains unclear

• Exact reason for Mbappé’s absence — official reason is rest, but minor injury speculation persists
• Álvaro Arbeloa’s future as Real Madrid coach after the defeat
• Whether Real Madrid’s rotated lineup was the decisive factor in the loss

Voices from the match

“We knew it would be a difficult match. Albacete defended well and took their chance. We didn’t. That’s the reality of the Copa del Rey.”

— Álvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid interim coach, post-match press conference (Al Jazeera)

“This is a night we will never forget. The team worked incredibly hard, and the fans pushed us all the way.”

— Albacete coach, post-match interview (ESPN)

“Proud of my teammates. We’ll bounce back.”

— Kylian Mbappé, via social media after the match (Le Figaro)

For Real Madrid, the Copa del Rey exit is a bitter result — but it’s also a predictable consequence of prioritizing other competitions. For Albacete, the equation is simpler: one night in January that justified an entire season of struggle. For the neutral, it’s a reminder that the Copa del Rey remains the most democratic competition in Spanish football, where a second-division side can still make the giants pay.

For a detailed lineup analysis of the match, check out detailed lineup analysis which breaks down the starting XI and tactical decisions.

Frequently asked questions

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