Albacete stun Real Madrid in thrilling 3-2 Copa del Rey upset

ALBACETE, Spain, Jan 14 : Substitute Jefte Betancor scored twice as second-tier Albacete pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory over Spanish giants Real Madrid on Wednesday, eliminating them from the Copa del Rey at the round-of-16 stage on Alvaro Arbeloa's managerial debut.

On a misty night at the Carlos Belmonte stadium, the energetic 17,000-strong crowd created an electric atmosphere as Albacete stunned the European powerhouses, who had sacked manager Xabi Alonso earlier in the week.

Former Real defender Arbeloa, who was handed the reins in the wake of Alonso's dismissal, selected a largely second-string side and they struggled to impose themselves on their lowly opponents, while dense fog that shrouded large portions of the match added to the drama. 

Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo were among the absentees, alongside Thibaut Courtois and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Arbeloa promoted right back David Jimenez and midfielder Jorge Cestero from the club's Castilla reserve set-up, while fielding Vinicius Jr. as the focal point of the attack.

The night was marred before kickoff, however, with fans outside the stadium targeting Vinicius with racist chants.

Once the match began, the Brazilian was booed throughout and struggled to influence proceedings as Albacete double- and triple-marked him on the left wing.

The hosts took the lead in the 42nd minute after a spell of pressure. A dangerous corner from Jose Lazo found Javier Villar at the near post, with the defender rising highest to head past Real's stand-in goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, sending the crowd into raptures.

However, their joy was short-lived, as Real struck back just before halftime when a marauding Vinicius won a corner, which Arda Guler swung into the six-yard box.

Dean