Gonzalo García delivered a stunning hat-trick as Real Madrid swept aside Real Betis 5–1 at the Bernabéu on Sunday, producing a statement performance after being drafted in to replace the injured Kylian Mbappé.
The young forward scored in both halves and was the standout figure in a dominant La Liga display, opening the scoring midway through the first half before adding two more after the break. The win kept Real Madrid firmly in the title race and underlined the squad depth at Xabi Alonso’s disposal.
Gonzalo broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, timing his movement expertly inside the Betis box before heading home a Rodrygo free-kick. He continued to trouble the visitors throughout the opening period and carried that momentum into the second half.
Just five minutes after the restart, Gonzalo doubled his tally, controlling the ball on his chest before finishing first time. He completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute of the second half, capping a clinical individual display that drew repeated applause from the Bernabéu crowd.
Raúl Asencio added Real Madrid’s third goal following another assist from Rodrygo, while Fran García wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time. Betis briefly reduced the deficit through Cucho Hernández, but the contest had long since slipped away from Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
The victory lifted Real Madrid to 45 points from 18 matches, allowing them to maintain a four-point advantage over Barcelona in the title race. Barça remain on 49 points after a 2–0 win over Espanyol, with Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid completing the top four on 38 and 37 points respectively.
Attention now turns to the Spanish Super Cup, with Real Madrid set to face Atlético de Madrid on Thursday, while Barcelona meet Athletic Bilbao a day earlier. Both semi-finals will be played this week as Spain’s two giants continue their battle for silverware on multiple fronts.
For Gonzalo, however, the night belonged to him — a timely reminder that even in Mbappé’s absence, Real Madrid’s attacking firepower remains formidable.
