Gonzalo Garcia scored a hat-trick for Real Madrid as they defeated Real Betis 5-1 on Sunday to chase La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Spanish striker Garcia, coming on for the injured Kylian Mbappe, opened the scoring after 20 minutes and then smashed home a brilliant second volley early in the second half to give Madrid a commanding lead.
Raul Asencio extended Xabi Alonso’s lead before Cucho Hernandez pulled one back for the visitor.
Garcia, a product of Madrid’s youth academy, completed his hat-trick after 83 minutes with a smart quick finish that delighted the fans at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Fran Garcia finishing late in fifth place.
Second-place Madrid cut Barca’s lead to four points after the champions defeated Espanyol 2-0 in a Catalan derby on Saturday. It eased pressure on Alonso, who continued at the helm until 2026 despite reports he was on the verge of being sacked after a string of inconsistent form.
Madrid extended their lead early in the second half after an excellent finish from Garcia, who controlled Fede Valverde’s long ball on his chest and smashed home from the edge of the penalty area. | Photo credit: AP
Madrid extended their lead early in the second half after an excellent finish from Garcia, who controlled Fede Valverde’s long ball on his chest and smashed home from the edge of the penalty area. | Photo credit: AP
With top scorer Mbappe sidelined with a sprained knee, Alonso turned to 21-year-old striker Garcia to replace him, as he did during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.
Garcia’s chances have been limited this season, even though he performed well in the United States and proved himself again.
Madrid started strongly and deservedly took the lead through Garcia’s running header from a Rodrygo Goes free kick.
Betis fought back into the match and were the most dangerous team for the remainder of the first half, although they were unable to test Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid extended their lead early in the second half after an excellent finish from Garcia, who controlled Fede Valverde’s long ball on his chest and smashed home from the edge of the penalty area.
With virtually the last kick of the match, defender Fran Garcia fired home Valverde’s cross to cap an emphatic victory. | Photo credit: REUTERS
With virtually the last kick of the match, defender Fran Garcia fired home Valverde’s cross to cap an emphatic victory. | Photo credit: REUTERS
Asencio nodded in Rodrygo’s corner to make Madrid’s third before the hour mark in one of the more convincing performances under Alonso.
With the points safe, Madrid relaxed and Betis created some danger, with Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo Riquelme hitting the woodwork and Hernandez rounding Courtois before drilling home.
Garcia restored Madrid’s three-goal lead with a neat flick from Arda Guler’s cross, drawing applause from the watching Mbappe.
With virtually the last kick of the match, defender Fran Garcia fired home Valverde’s cross to cap an emphatic victory.
Published on January 4, 2026
