Finding out who actually takes the pitch in a Copa del Rey tie can feel like decoding a coach’s secret notebook. On 14 January 2026, Real Madrid rolled into Albacete with a lineup that left fans and pundits alike checking their phones twice. The official starting XI, announced by the club just before kick‑off, included several young faces and conspicuously omitted Kylian Mbappé. This article unpacks the confirmed lineups, the reason behind the rotation, and how a 17‑year‑old stole the headlines.

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Match Date: 14 January 2026 · Competition: Copa del Rey · Real Madrid Starting XI (official): Lunin, D. Jiménez, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran García, Cestero, Valverde, Arda Güler · Albacete Starting XI (official): Raul Lizoain, Dani Bernabeu, Carlos Neva, Javi Moreno, Fran Gamez

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Real Madrid started with a rotated squad that included five changes from the previous match (Real Madrid official)
  • Albacete fielded a 5‑3‑2 formation designed to counter Madrid’s attacking threats (FotMob line‑up data)
  • 17‑year‑old Franco Mastantuono started and scored Real Madrid’s equaliser in the 48th minute (Sky Sports match report)
  • Attendance reached 16,807 at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte (Sky Sports)
2What’s unclear
  • Full substitution details for Albacete – only two of their three permitted changes are publicly recorded (Sky Sports team sheet)
  • Official post‑match comments from manager Carlo Ancelotti regarding the rotation strategy (Sports Illustrated matchday report)
  • Exact injury status of Albacete players before the match (only Rüdiger, Militão, Mendy were confirmed out for Madrid) (FotMob injury notes)
3Timeline signal
  • 13 Jan – Real Madrid publish squad list; Mbappé omitted (Real Madrid official)
  • 14 Jan 20:00 UTC – Kick‑off at Estadio Carlos Belmonte (Sky Sports)
4What’s next
  • Real Madrid shift focus to La Liga; the defeat raises questions about squad depth in knockout tournaments (Sports Illustrated analysis)
  • Albacete advance to the Copa del Rey quarter‑finals for the first time in over a decade (Sky Sports)

Four key data points, one pattern: the gulf in experience between the two sides was vast on paper, but Albacete’s tactical discipline made the numbers meaningless. The official lineups, as confirmed by Real Madrid, reveal a deliberate bet on youth.

Fact Value
Match Date 14 January 2026
Competition Copa del Rey – Round of 16
Real Madrid starting XI Lunin (13), D. Jiménez (35), Asencio (17), Huijsen (24), Fran García (20), Cestero (28), Valverde (8), Arda Güler (15), Mastantuono (30), Vini Jr. (7/11), Gonzalo (16) (Real Madrid official)
Albacete starting XI Lizoain (13), Lorenzo (2), Javi Moreno (5), Neva (21), Dani B. (27), Meléndez (17), Pacheco (6), Villar (18), Capi (26), Lazo (16), Escriche (19) (Real Madrid official)

Has Real Madrid ever lost to Albacete?

Yes – in the 2025/26 Copa del Rey last‑16, Real Madrid suffered a 3‑2 defeat at the hands of Albacete (Sky Sports match report). Historically, Madrid have won the overwhelming majority of encounters between the two clubs, but this result stands as the most recent – and arguably most surprising – upset. The loss knocked Real Madrid out of the competition early.

Bottom line: Real Madrid’s overall dominance over Albacete is unquestioned, but this latest fixture proves that a rotated side can still be punished by a motivated lower‑division opponent. For Ancelotti, the defeat is a clear signal that fixture depth management carries real risk in knockout formats.

Was Mbappé playing against Albacete?

No – Kylian Mbappé was left out of the squad entirely. Real Madrid’s official squad list for the match, published on 13 January, did not include the French forward (Real Madrid official squad announcement). Italian sports journalist Sports Illustrated reported that the omission was a precautionary rest, with Mbappé not carrying any injury.

Why was Mbappé left out of the squad?

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti used the Copa del Rey fixture to rotate heavily, resting key starters ahead of a busy La Liga schedule. The decision meant that young players like Mastantuono and Huijsen received starting minutes (Sky Sports lineup analysis).

Who replaced him in the starting XI?

Mastantuono was given the nod on the right wing, while Gonzalo started as the central forward. Vini Jr. was also in the XI, but the attacking trio was markedly different from the usual Mbappé‑led front line (Real Madrid official lineup).

The trade‑off

Ancelotti’s rotation gave youth a chance but cost Real Madrid progression. Albacete, playing a compact 5‑3‑2, exploited the lack of cohesion in Madrid’s unfamiliar attacking unit.

The implication: even with experienced players like Valverde in the lineup, an unfamiliar attacking unit struggled to break down a disciplined low block.

Who is the 17 year old playing for Real Madrid?

The 17‑year‑old in question is Argentine attacker Franco Mastantuono. Signed from River Plate in the summer of 2025, Mastantuono was included in the matchday squad for the Copa del Rey tie and made an immediate impact: he scored the equaliser in the 48th minute, finishing from close range after a cross from Arda Güler (Sky Sports goal timeline).

What is Mastantuono’s background?

Born in 2008, Mastantuono rose through the youth ranks at River Plate before Real Madrid secured his transfer. He is regarded as one of the brightest talents in Argentine football, known for his dribbling and composure in front of goal (Sports Illustrated player profile).

How did he perform in the match?

Beyond his goal, Mastantuono completed two dribbles and had a pass accuracy of 82% in his 77 minutes on the pitch (FotMob player statistics). He was substituted in the 77th minute as Real Madrid pushed for a winner, but Albacete’s late double from Betancor Sánchez sealed the upset.

Bottom line: Mastantuono’s goal announced his arrival on the senior stage, but the performance also highlighted the rawness of a 17‑year‑old still learning the defensive side of the game. For Real Madrid’s academy, his emergence is a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing night.

Timeline of events

  • 13 January 2026: Real Madrid publish squad list; Mbappé omitted (Real Madrid official)
  • 14 January 2026, 19:00 CET: Official lineups released (Sky Sports)
  • 14 January 2026, 20:00 CET: Kick‑off; 16,807 attendance (Sky Sports)
  • 42′: J. Villar puts Albacete 1‑0 up (Sky Sports)
  • 48′: Mastantuono equalises for Real Madrid (Sky Sports)
  • 82′: Betancor Sánchez restores Albacete lead (Sky Sports)
  • 90+1′: Gonzalo García equalises for Madrid (Sky Sports)
  • 90+4′: Betancor Sánchez scores winner (Sky Sports)
  • 90+6′: Albacete’s Rodríguez Gil Carcedo receives yellow card (Sky Sports)
  • Full time: Albacete 3‑2 Real Madrid (Sky Sports)

Confirmed facts

  • Real Madrid starting XI included Lunin, D. Jiménez, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran García, Cestero, Valverde, Arda Güler, Mastantuono, Vini Jr., Gonzalo (Real Madrid official)
  • Albacete starting XI: Lizoain, Lorenzo, Javi Moreno, Neva, Dani B., Meléndez, Pacheco, Villar, Capi, Lazo, Escriche (Real Madrid official)
  • Mbappé omitted from squad (Real Madrid official)
  • Final score: Albacete 3‑2 Real Madrid (Sky Sports)

What’s unclear

  • Full substitution details for Albacete – only two of three changes recorded (Sky Sports team sheet)
  • Post‑match comments from either manager (Sports Illustrated)
  • Exact injury status of Albacete players before the match (FotMob injury notes)
  • Referee: Víctor García Verdura (FotMob match data) – single source, not cross‑verified by club or league

“The starting eleven features several changes from the weekend, reflecting our commitment to managing the squad across competitions.”

Real Madrid (official club website)

“Mbappé’s absence raises questions about fitness management in a season where Madrid is competing on multiple fronts.”

Yahoo Sports (US sports news outlet)

The pattern is clear: rotation can backfire when a younger side lacks the cohesion to break down a disciplined defence. For Carlo Ancelotti, the defeat means an early Copa del Rey exit and a difficult conversation about balancing rest with results. For Albacete, the victory propels them into the quarter‑finals – a historic achievement for a club that rarely makes waves in this competition.

For Real Madrid’s front office, the trade‑off is stark: develop young talent in competitive matches or risk early exits from cup tournaments. With a packed La Liga schedule ahead, the choice next season will be even more consequential.

Additional sources

tntsports.co.uk

Fans eager to see how the lineups translated on the pitch can read about the stunning 3-2 upset that followed.

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Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of Albacete vs Real Madrid?

Albacete beat Real Madrid 3‑2 (Sky Sports).

Did any Real Madrid stars rest for the Copa del Rey match?

Yes – Mbappé was rested entirely, and several regular starters such as Rüdiger, Militão, and Mendy were unavailable due to injury (FotMob injury list).

Which Albacete players were in the starting lineup?

Lizoain, Lorenzo, Javi Moreno, Neva, Dani B., Meléndez, Pacheco, Villar, Capi, Lazo, Escriche (Real Madrid official).

How many changes did Real Madrid make from their previous match?

Real Madrid made five changes to the XI that started their previous La Liga fixture (Sports Illustrated).

Was Mastantuono given playing time?

Yes, Mastantuono started and played 77 minutes before being substituted (Sky Sports).

What is the significance of the Copa del Rey for Real Madrid this season?

Real Madrid were knocked out in the last‑16, meaning they are now out of the competition – an early exit that adds pressure on their La Liga and Champions League campaigns (Sky Sports). The link is provided for general context.

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