Real Madrid's Most Crushing Copa del Rey Humiliations Since 2000—Brutally Ranked
Despite their European dominance, Real Madrid have consistently fallen victim to shocking upsets in the Copa del Rey throughout the 21st century.
Spain's most historic football tournament has gradually become a secondary priority for the 15-time Champions League champions. While they claimed 17 Copa del Rey trophies during the 1900s, Real Madrid have managed to secure just three additional titles in the past 26 years.
By contrast, Barcelona have claimed the tournament six times in just the last 11 seasons. Making things even more painful for their Madrid counterparts, Los Blancos have been eliminated by significantly weaker opponents far too frequently.
Real Madrid are now on a run of just one Copa win in 12 seasons.
Barcelona have lifted the trophy six times in the same span, and are still in the hunt to make it seven. pic.twitter.com/QQAs77n4gy
Despite the abundance of talent at Valdebebas and the various managers who have graced the Bernabéu sideline, Real Madrid have repeatedly found themselves featured in Spanish media headlines for their stunning Copa del Rey eliminations throughout the years, with their latest mishap occurring in the 2025–26 campaign.
Here, Sports Illustrated lists the club's most devastating Copa del Rey losses of this century.
5. Real Zaragoza 6–1 Real Madrid (2006)
Real Madrid were completely demolished by Real Zaragoza in the opening leg of the 2005–06 Copa del Rey semifinals. Before the 35th minute had passed, Diego Milito had already completed his hat trick.
The Argentine striker continued his rampage with a fourth goal, while Ewerthon's double ensured Iker Casillas endured a nightmare evening, conceding six goals. Los Blancos' sole response came through Júlio Baptista.
The humiliation was so severe that even their commanding 4–0 second-leg victory couldn't secure passage to the Copa del Rey final. This catastrophic result contributed to Florentino Pérez's resignation in the following weeks, concluding his initial presidency.
This lopsided defeat ranks fifth on our list solely because Real Zaragoza were at least competing in La Liga.
4. Albacete 3–2 Real Madrid (2026)
The latest addition to this list is Real Madrid's 3–2 loss to Albacete in the 2025–26 Copa del Rey round of 16. This match launched the Álvaro Arbeloa era in the most disastrous fashion imaginable.
With Xabi Alonso dismissed just three days earlier, Los Blancos needed to make a statement at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte. However, a squad primarily composed of squad players and Castilla prospects delivered a woeful performance.
Although they twice equalized after falling behind, the Spanish powerhouse ultimately saw their Copa del Rey journey end when Jefté Betancor struck a decisive 94th-minute winner.
Real Madrid didn't just lose—they were beaten by a La Liga 2 team sitting just one point above the drop zone. Additionally, Albacete had never previously defeated the club before their 2026 victory.
3. Real Unión 3–2 Real Madrid (2008)
What could be more embarrassing than losing to a second-division team? Exactly—falling to a third-tier opponent. Real Madrid endured a 3–2 defeat against Real Unión in the first leg of the 2008–09 Copa del Rey round of 32.
Los Blancos fell behind within two minutes, igniting the Stadium Gal crowd into euphoria. This early strike established the pattern for a wild first half that concluded 2–1 in favor of the hosts.
Real Madrid leveled the contest just eight minutes into the second half through Javier Saviola, but Real Unión immediately responded with another goal and maintained their advantage until the final whistle.
The second leg at the Bernabéu followed a similar script for the Spanish giants; despite securing a 4–3 win, they were eliminated from the tournament on away goals.
While being knocked out by a third-division side was mortifying, two more entries ahead make this result appear relatively acceptable for the 15-time European champions.
2. Alcorcón 4–0 Real Madrid (2009)
The following season brought an almost identical nightmare. In what felt like a torturous case of déjà vu, Real Madrid were eliminated from the 2009–10 Copa del Rey in the round of 32 by Alcorcón, another Segunda División B outfit.
When the first leg concluded, the scoreboard displayed a shocking 4–0 result favoring Alcorcón. The massive underdogs had remarkably netted three times in the opening half alone.
Los Blancos couldn't even claim they fielded a weakened lineup. Karim Benzema, Raúl and Arbeloa all started, while Marcelo and Ruud van Nistelrooy entered as substitutes.
Nevertheless, the team could only hang their heads in disgrace at the Estadio Santo Domingo. They were so demoralized that they managed merely a 1–0 victory in the return leg despite Kaká and Gonzalo Higuaín playing the full 90 minutes.
1. Alcoyano 2–1 Real Madrid (2021)
While many might consider Alcorcón's thrashing as Real Madrid's most humiliating defeat in the competition, there's one result that arguably surpasses it. Third-division Alcoyano, despite being reduced to 10 men in extra time, knocked out the Spanish giants 2–1 in the 2020–21 Copa del Rey round of 32.
Éder Militão nodded home the opening goal just before halftime, and his team appeared to be coasting until Alcoyano substitute Jose Solbes equalized in the 80th minute.
Los Blancos were subsequently forced into extra time, where Ramon Lopez received his marching orders in the 110th minute. Surely they could now secure victory against a depleted third-tier opponent?
Incorrect. Juanan struck the decisive blow just five minutes later to send Alcoyano into the round of 16. This result stands as one of the most damaging failures during Zinedine Zidane's tenure as manager.
It came as no surprise that Real Madrid finished the 2020–21 season without any silverware.