Coach Alberto González’s prophetic words spark a 3-2 thriller as Spanish media slams Álvaro Arbeloa’s “disastrous” debut.
In the annals of the Copa del Rey, January 14th, 2026, will be remembered as the night Albacete Balompié did the impossible. But for coach Alberto González, the feat was written in the stars long before the opening whistle.
The Prophetic Speech Facing a Real Madrid side that had never lost to Albacete in their history, González delivered a rallying cry that has since gone viral:
“Albacete has never beaten Real Madrid in history. Why? Because that day is reserved for today. For us!”
The speech transformed the 17th-placed team in Spain’s second division. In a back-and-forth thriller, striker Jefté Betancor emerged as the hero, scoring twice including a stunning stoppage-time winner just minutes after Real Madrid thought they had snatched a draw.
A Historic “Ridicule” The fallout in the Spanish press has been immediate and brutal for Álvaro Arbeloa. Making his debut as first-team manager following Xabi Alonso’s exit, Arbeloa’s decision to rotate the squad backfired spectacularly.
Marca: Labeled the performance a “Real Mess.”
As: Described the debut as “A disaster to start with.”
Sport (Barcelona): Called it a “Monumental ridicule.”
Mundo Deportivo: Simply stated, “Albacete knocks Real Madrid out of the Cup.”
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The Weight of the Defeat This marks Real Madrid’s most embarrassing exit since the 2020/21 season, when they were stunned by third-division side Alcoyano. For a club that just won the Club World Cup, losing to a struggling Segunda side has sent shockwaves through the Bernabéu, leaving Arbeloa’s long-term future in serious doubt before it even truly began.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
