Daijiworld Media Network - Madrid
Madrid, Jan 5: Young striker Gonzalo Garcia struck a sensational hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Real Betis 5-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday to stay close on La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Filling in for the injured Kylian Mbappe, the 21-year-old Spaniard opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a looping header from Rodrygo’s free-kick before volleying home a superb second early in the second half. Raul Asencio added Madrid’s third, while Cucho Hernandez briefly reduced the deficit for sixth-placed Betis.
Garcia, a product of Madrid’s youth academy, completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute with a clever flicked finish, drawing loud applause from the home crowd. Defender Fran Garcia then capped the rout with a late fifth goal.
The emphatic win helped second-placed Madrid cut Barcelona’s lead back to four points after the champions defeated Espanyol 2-0 in a Catalan derby on Saturday. The result also eased pressure on coach Xabi Alonso, who had faced scrutiny following an inconsistent run of form.
With top scorer Mbappe sidelined due to a knee sprain, Alonso once again turned to Garcia, who had impressed during the Club World Cup last summer but had limited opportunities this season.
“These were very special goals – my first hat-trick at the Bernabeu and my first goals this season,” Garcia said after the match, while admitting competition for places remains fierce with stars like Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham in the squad.
Madrid dominated early proceedings and looked in control after extending their lead soon after the break. Asencio, another academy graduate, headed in Rodrygo’s corner to make it 3-0 before Betis showed some resistance, hitting the woodwork through Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo Riquelme.
Hernandez eventually found the net for Betis after rounding Thibaut Courtois, but Garcia restored Madrid’s three-goal cushion soon after. Fran Garcia’s late strike sealed one of Madrid’s most convincing performances under Alonso.
“It was a tough game for us, one to forget,” Betis midfielder Marc Roca said after the loss.
Real Madrid will next face city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, while Atletico are scheduled to visit Real Sociedad later on Sunday.