Gonzalo Garcia scored a brilliant hat-trick as Real Madrid cruised to a 5-1 victory over Real Betis on Sunday, keeping pace with La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Man City Stumble in Title Race as Chelsea Hold Champions, Fulham Snatch Late Draw at Liverpool
The 21-year-old forward, deputising for the injured Kylian Mbappe, opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a looping header before adding a stunning volley early in the second half to put Madrid firmly in control at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Raul Asencio extended the hosts’ lead with a header from a corner before Betis striker Cucho Hernandez pulled one back for the visitors. Garcia then completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute with a clever flicked finish, delighting the home crowd, while Fran Garcia added a late fifth to cap an emphatic display.
The win allowed second-placed Madrid to cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table to four points after the champions beat Espanyol 2-0 on Saturday. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, dropped points in the title race after being held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad.
Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, who had faced mounting pressure following inconsistent results, was relieved to see his side deliver one of their most convincing performances of the season. With Mbappe sidelined by a knee injury, Alonso’s decision to trust academy product Garcia paid rich dividends.
“These were three very special goals, my first hat-trick here at the Bernabeu,” Garcia said after the match. “I just try to work every day and take the chances the coach gives me.”
All five of Madrid’s goals were scored by players who emerged from the club’s youth academy, a fact Alonso praised after the match, calling it a reflection of the strong work being done at the club’s grassroots level.
Real Madrid next face city rivals Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia, while Atletico remain 11 points behind Barcelona after their draw at Real Sociedad.
