Albacete vs Real Madrid LIVE: Second half is underway! (1-1)

Real Madrid are using their class and gradually approaching Albacete’s goal, though still without posing much danger.

The first-half pattern continues. Real Madrid hold 80% possession, while Albacete wait for counterattack opportunities.

Both goals came from corner kicks. Javi Villar opened the scoring for the home side, while Mastantuono leveled the match in the final play of the first half.

After a corner from the left and a rebound off the Albacete goalkeeper, Mastantuono connected to level the match.

After a right-side corner, Javi Villar connected with a precise header, putting Albacete ahead 1-0.

In a very scrappy and stop-start match, Arda Güler stands out among his teammates as Real Madrid’s most potent offensive weapon.

Real Madrid are moving the ball from side to side; however, the home team remains organized and looks for a counterattack opportunity through Bernabeu.

Real Madrid are taking control of the attack through Vinícius and Mastantuono, but they keep running into a well-organized Albacete defense.

Almost halfway through the first half, neither team has managed to gain the upper hand.

Albacete have slowly started to settle into the match and is gradually reaching Lunin’s area, though without posing much danger.

In a match where Albacete is trying to withstand Real Madrid’s attacks, the fog is hindering the players’ visibility.

After an impressive team move, Federico Valverde took a shot from distance, which went just wide of the opponent’s post.

The opening minutes of the match show clear ball possession by Real Madrid, but they haven’t created any significant chances yet.

Albacete and Real Madrid have kicked off their Round of 16 Copa del Rey match. Stay tuned to the live blog for minute-by-minute updates!

Albacete and Real Madrid are already on the field, ready to kick off the match.

Real Madrid reached the Round of 16 in the Copa del Rey after a 3-2 away victory over CF Talavera, with two goals from Kylian Mbappe and an own goal by Manuel Ferrando Stiepovich.

On the other hand, Albacete had a tougher path. In one of the final moments of their match against Celta, they managed to equalize 2-2 and then triumphed 3-0 in the penalty shootout.

Following Xabi Alonso’s departure as Real Madrid’s head coach, Alvaro Arbeloa was quickly appointed to take over. In his first match in charge of the first team, Arbeloa chose to rest players of the caliber of Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, and Ferland Mendy, who had trained separately during the week.

The home side, aiming to pull off a shock against Madrid, will be represented on the pitch by the following eleven players: Lizoain, Lorenzo, Javi Moreno, C. Neva, Dani B., Melendez, Pacheco, Javi Villar, Capi, Lazo, and Escriche.

Shortly before kickoff, these are the eleven players Alvaro Arbeloa will field: Lunin, Jimenez, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran Garcia, Valverde, Cestero, Arda Güller, Mastantuono, Vinicius Jr., and Gonzalo.

The standout story of the day will be the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who, following the lost final against Barcelona and ongoing knee issues, will be rested for this match.

The match between Albacete and Real Madrid will be played at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium, which has a capacity of 17,524 spectators. It is expected to be packed with home fans, who will be hoping for a miracle run into the quarterfinals.

The official in charge of officiating the match on the pitch will be Víctor García Verdura, with Ivan Caparros handling VAR duties.

Albacete vs Real Madrid will get underway at 3:00 PM (ET). You can watch this match live in the United States on ESPN+.

Welcome everyone to the live blog of the match between Albacete and Real Madrid. Both teams will be fighting for a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute coverage and key update content of what promises to be a highly entertaining showdown.