Gonzalo Garcia starred for Real Madrid on Sunday, scoring a first-career La Liga hat trick in a dominant 5-1 win over Real Betis. The 21-year-old forward started in place of injured top scorer Kylian Mbappe, sidelined with a left knee sprain, and made the most of his rare opportunity under coach Xabi Alonso.
Garcia opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header from a Rodrygo free kick, before volleying in a second goal in the 50th after controlling a pass with his chest. Raul Asencio added Madrid’s third from a corner, while Betis pulled one back through Cucho Hernandez in the 66th minute.
Garcia completed his hat trick in the 82nd with a flicked finish from an Arda Guler assist, later exiting to a standing ovation. Fran García sealed the 5-1 victory in stoppage time.
“It was a dream game for him,” Alonso said, praising Garcia’s work ethic and attitude, calling him a “fantastic example of what it means to be a Real Madrid academy graduate.” Garcia, who debuted for the first team in November 2023 after rising through Madrid’s youth system, said the experience at the Bernabeu was unforgettable and hoped for many more goals and wins in the season.
The win keeps second-placed Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona, who defeated Espanyol 2-0, while third-placed Villarreal trails by seven points despite having played two fewer games.
The victory also ends a period of pressure on Alonso’s side after the winter break and sets a positive tone ahead of their Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Jeddah against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, with the final scheduled for January 11.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Levante defeated Sevilla 3-0 under new coach Luis Castro, ending an eight-match winless streak, while Real Sociedad drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid under American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. Girona left the relegation zone with a 2-1 win at Mallorca, and Oviedo fell to the bottom following a 1-1 draw at Alaves.
