Albacete prepare for a thrilling clash against FC Barcelona. Having already knocked out Real Madrid, the Carlos Belmonte side aim to double down on their efforts and cause another upset in the Copa del Rey, where they stand as the only non-top-flight team.
Only eight teams now remain in contention for the Copa del Rey 2025-26. Seven of these sides hail from La Liga (Barcelona, Valencia, Athletic, Alaves, Real Sociedad, Betis, and Atletico de Madrid), with just one second tier survivor daring to defy both sporting and economic logic. Naturally, this refers to Albacete, who continue to dream big in a competition where they have emerged as the main protagonists, particularly after their epic last-16 tie against Real Madrid.
Their dramatic 3-2 victory over ‘Los Blancos’, sealed by Jefte’s now-famous goal in the match’s dying moments against a ‘Merengue’ side led by debutant coach Alvaro Arbeloa, now forms part of the Copa del Rey history for the Manchego club. They hope to deliver another shock on Tuesday against FC Barcelona. Indeed, eliminating Spanish football’s other powerhouse and reaching the semi-finals would mark a historic achievement for the club itself and for all ‘modest’ teams in national football.
Albacete, as mentioned, remain the last lower-division side still competing in this Copa. Against the ‘Cules’, they will attempt to replicate a feat rarely seen, last achieved by Mirandes. While also in the second tier, Mirandes reached the semi-finals during the 2019-20 season, losing their tie by a narrow 3-1 margin to Real Sociedad.
Other teams such as Alaves (2003-04, eliminated by Zaragoza on away goals), Figueres (2001-02, then in third tier, knocked out by a single goal from Deportivo), and Mirandes (2011-12, when they were in the third tier, falling to a historic club like Athletic), also managed to reach the semi-finals this century. Albacete now stand just 90 (or 120) minutes away from emulating this feat.
Standing alone against the odds in these quarter-finals, the Manchego side came close to having company. Teams like Deportivo de La Coruna (who lost 0-1 to Atletico Madrid) and Cultural Leonesa (defeated 3-4 in extra time by Athletic Club) narrowly missed out on causing upsets in the last 16, with fortune just eluding them.
Nevertheless, the Carlos Belmonte stadium prepares for another festive occasion, feeling like a grand final for all fans attending on Tuesday. After their stunning blow to Real Madrid, the home side may have lost some of their surprise factor. Barcelona, having witnessed the previous round, will undoubtedly heed the warning, “when you see your neighbour’s beard on fire, put water on your own”. Despite this, it will not diminish the hope and determination of Alberto Gonzalez’s charges, who will defend the honour of the ‘modest’ teams with blood and sweat until the very end in a Copa del Rey that, despite its areas for improvement, continues to make room for surprises.
