Historic embarrassment! Real Madrid eliminated from Copa del Rey by second-tier side!

Some would call it karma and justice. The others would argue that it's an unprecedented crisis. But only one thing is certain - it's a historic embarrassment.

Real Madrid are out of the Copa del Rey, as they were shocked by the second-tier side Albacete on the road, 3-2! And all that just two days after firing Xabi Alonso and hiring Alvaro Arbeloa, who became only the second Los Blancos' boss out of the last ten to lose his maiden game in charge, alongside Julen Lopetegui.

To make matters worse, Albacete are only 17th in La Liga 2 and have been winless for five games, until Madridistas came to Estadio Carlos Belmonte. At the same time, this was the maiden victory for the popular "Clockwork Cheese" against Madrid in their 15th clash, as the minnows last played in the top flight 21 years ago.

The very beginning of the game hinted at another Los Blancos' poor performance, and even though the visitors' starting lineup was almost 70 times more expensive - 561 million compared to 8.1 million - Albacete threw the first punch, breaking the deadlock in the 42nd minute over Javi Villar after a corner kick.

Xabi Alonso - Story of a downfall: At Real Madrid, it's either players' way or highway

However, Madrid shortly bounced back and awaited the break with a tied result, thanks to Franco Mastantuono's added-time leveller.

Although everyone expected the Argentinian's goal to dishearten the home team and boost Los Blancos' confidence, Arbeloa's men seriously struggled to complete the comeback. As the clock was ticking, they grew increasingly nervous and anxious.

And then - the first shock! Eight minutes before the end, Jefte Betancor, Albacete's sub on loan from Olympiacos, who spent most of his career in the Spanish and Austrian lower leagues, in Cyprus, Romania, and Greece, put the minnows back in front, exploiting Madrid custodian Andriy Lunin's poor reaction.

But once again, the visitors had a response. This time, their arguably biggest gem, Gonzalo Garcia, came to the rescue, equalizing in the first minute of added time with a perfect header following a corner kick.

The stage was set for extra time, but Madrid went for the winner. And three minutes after the leveller, the winner was scored. But by Albacete!

In the midst of Los Blancos' offence, the home crew initiated a counterattack, the final seconds of the match were passing, and Betancor was alone against Madrid's defenders. His first effort was blocked, but the ball got back to him, and then he created magic. A beautiful lob over the confused Lunin, and the ball was perfectly placed into the bottom-left corner of the Ukrainian's goal.

For the win. For an upset. For history.

Albacete brought the King to his knees and slapped him in the face. Alonso is gone, but the problems are still there and are slowly but surely killing Madrid's hopes of a successful season.

The manager was held responsible, but it brought nothing. Perhaps it's time to hold the players accountable.

SPAIN COPA DEL REY - ROUND OF 16

Tuesday

Cultural Leonesa - Athletic Bilbao 3-4 a.e.t. (3-3)

/Calero 16,27, Sobrino 41 pen - Guruzeta 26,38, Sancet 45+3 pen, Gomez 104 pen/

La Coruna - Atletico Madrid 0-1 (0-0)

/Griezmann 51/

Sociedad - Osasuna 4-3 on pen (2-2)

/Turrientes 75, Zubeldia 90+2 - Moncayola 4, Oyarzabal 17 og/

Wednesday

Alaves - Rayo Vallecano 2-0 (0-0)

/Martinez 49, Vicente 89/

Albacete - Real Madrid 3-2 (1-1)

/Villar 42, Betancor 82, 90+4 - Mastantuono 45+3, Garcia 90+1/

Betis - Elche 2-1 (0-0)

/Avila 68, 80 - Petrot 58/

Thursday

23.00: (4.00) Burgos (3.35) Valencia (2.00)

23.00: (10.0) Santander (6.50) Barcelona (1.25)

***odds are subject to change***