MADRID: Gonzalo Garcia produced a sensational hat-trick as Real Madrid cruised to a dominant 5-1 victory over Real Betis on Sunday, keeping the pressure firmly on La Liga leaders Barcelona.
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The 21-year-old Spanish forward, deputising for the injured Kylian Mbappe, opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a looping header from a Rodrygo free-kick. Garcia doubled Madrid’s lead early in the second half with a superb volley, putting Xabi Alonso’s side firmly in control at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Raul Asencio added a third with a header from another Rodrygo delivery before Cucho Hernandez briefly revived Betis’ hopes with a goal for the visitors, who sit sixth in the table.
Garcia completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute with a clever flicked finish from an Arda Guler cross, drawing loud applause from the home crowd. Fran Garcia capped the emphatic performance with a late fifth goal to seal a comprehensive win.
The victory reduced Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table to four points after the champions edged Espanyol 2-0 in the Catalan derby on Saturday.
With Mbappe sidelined by a knee injury, Alonso turned to Garcia, who repaid his manager’s faith with a standout performance. Speaking after the match, Garcia said the hat-trick was a special moment in his young career, while acknowledging the competition for places in Madrid’s star-studded attack.
Real Madrid dominated from the outset, although Betis threatened at times, hitting the woodwork through Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo Riquelme. Hernandez also found the net after rounding Thibaut Courtois, but Madrid quickly reasserted control.
“It was a tough game for us, one to forget. We have to turn the page quickly,” Betis midfielder Marc Roca said after the defeat.
Real Madrid now turn their attention to Thursday’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final against city rivals Atletico Madrid in Saudi Arabia, while Betis will look to bounce back in their upcoming league fixtures.
