Gonzalo Garcia scored three goals for Real Madrid in a 5-1 victory over Real Betis, keeping them close to La Liga leaders Barcelona. The Spanish forward, substituting for the injured Kylian Mbappe, netted the first goal after 20 minutes and added a spectacular second early in the second half. Raul Asencio increased Madrid’s lead before Cucho Hernandez pulled one back for Betis.
Garcia, a product of Madrid’s youth academy, completed his hat-trick with a skillful finish after 83 minutes, pleasing fans at the Santiago Bernabeu. The win reduced Barcelona’s lead to four points, following their 2-0 win against Espanyol in a Catalan derby.
The victory was a relief for coach Xabi Alonso, who faced speculation about his job security due to inconsistent performances. With Mbappe sidelined, 21-year-old Garcia seized the opportunity to shine, showcasing his talent once again.
Real Madrid dominated the match, with Garcia scoring from a free-kick delivered by Rodrygo Goes. Despite Betis’ efforts, they struggled to challenge Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Garcia’s second goal came from a precise volley after controlling a long ball from Fede Valverde. Asencio added a third goal from a corner, demonstrating a convincing performance under Alonso’s guidance.
Betis posed a threat in the latter stages of the game but failed to breach Madrid’s defense effectively. Garcia sealed his hat-trick with a stylish flick from Arda Guler’s cross, earning praise from Mbappe. Fran Garcia concluded the match with a goal from Valverde’s cross, sealing a dominant victory for Madrid.
In other matches, Atletico Madrid, in fourth place, faced Real Sociedad.