Hello everyone and welcome to another MARCA in English live blog, this time covering the Copa del Rey Round of 16 duel between Albacete and Real Madrid at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.
Los Blancos are heading into the clash on the back of a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final that took place on Sunday in Saudi Arabia. That defeat led to Xabi Alonso‘s departure from the club seven months after joining Real Madrid from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Spanish tactician has been succeeded by former Castilla coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who won two Champions League titles as a Real Madrid player in the past. Arbeloa will make his dugout debut tonight in the team’s bid to get back to winning ways and clinch a spot in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
To do so, they’ll have to go past an Albacete side that have yet to celebrate a victory in 2026. In the previous round of the competition, the hosts eliminated LaLiga EA SPORTS side Celta, whom they beat on penalties after drawing 2-2 in regular time. Yet that triumph has been followed by two draws and one defeat in their last three LaLiga HYPERMOTION games.
The last time the two teams face each other was back in 2004/05 – Albacete‘s last season in the top flight. It now remains to be seen if Real Madrid will bounce back from adversity, or whether Albacete can pull an upset on home soil.
Albacete vs Real Madrid live latest text updates
Goal! Albacete 1, Real Madrid 1. Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid) left footed shot from very close range following a corner.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Lorenzo Aguado.
Foul by Gonzalo García (Real Madrid).
Lorenzo Aguado (Albacete) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Ale Meléndez.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Lorenzo Aguado.
Goal! Albacete 1, Real Madrid 0. Javi Villar (Albacete) header from the centre of the box following a corner.
Corner, Albacete. Conceded by Jorge Cestero.
Offside, Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior is caught offside.
Foul by David Jiménez (Real Madrid).
Daniel Bernabéu (Albacete) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Federico Valverde (Real Madrid).
Ale Meléndez (Albacete) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Offside, Albacete. Dani Escriche is caught offside.
David Jiménez (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Dani Escriche (Albacete).
Attempt missed. Daniel Bernabéu (Albacete) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a fast break.
Attempt missed. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box.
Attempt missed. Lorenzo Aguado (Albacete) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ale Meléndez.
Offside, Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior is caught offside.
Attempt saved. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the bottom left corner by Raúl Lizoain (Albacete). Assisted by Fran García.
Attempt blocked. Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Vinícius Júnior with a cross.
Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Fran García (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Lorenzo Aguado (Albacete).
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Antonio Pacheco (Albacete).
Delay in match because of an injury Raúl Asencio (Real Madrid).
Attempt missed. José Carlos Lazo (Albacete) left footed shot from the right side of the box.
Foul by Jorge Cestero (Real Madrid).
Capi (Albacete) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid).
Dani Escriche (Albacete) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt missed. Arda Güler (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box from a direct free kick.
Arda Güler (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Javi Villar (Albacete).
Attempt missed. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Arda Güler following a corner.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Daniel Bernabéu.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Daniel Bernabéu.
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Albacete XI: Lizoain; Aguado, Javi Moreno, Neva, Dani B; Meléndez, Pacheco, Javi Villar, Capi, Lazo, Escriche
Real Madrid XI: Lunin; David Jiménez, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran García; Cestero, Güler, Valverde; Mastantuono, Vinicius, Gonzalo
Albacete vs Real Madrid Possible Lineups
Real Madrid possible XI (4-3-2-1): Lunin; Carvajal, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Cestero, Guler, Ceballos; Mastantuono, Palacios; Gonzalo.
Albacete possible XI (5-3-2): Lizoain; Aguado, Moreno, Vallejo, Neva, JoGo; Escriche, Villar, Capi, Valverde; Jefte.
When is Albacete vs Real Madrid?
Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 CET. For fans in the United Kingdom, the match begins at 20:00 GMT.
In the United States, it will get underway at 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT.
Where to watch Albacete vs Real Madrid?
In the United States, the Albacete vs Real Madrid will be available through ESPN+. For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be available via Premier Sports, with streaming through Premier Player.
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First Half ends, Albacete 1, Real Madrid 1.