Garcia hat-trick powers Real Madrid to 5–1 rout of Betis, keep pressure on Barcelona

Spanish striker Gonzalo García scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Real Betis 5–1 on Sunday to stay on the heels of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Handed a rare start in the absence of injured Kylian Mbappé, García wasted no time in making his mark, opening the scoring after 20 minutes before volleying home a superb second early in the second half to put Los Blancos firmly in control.

Raúl Asencio added a third for Xabi Alonso’s side before Cucho Hernández pulled one back for sixth-placed Betis.

However, the night belonged to Real Madrid’s youth academy graduate, who completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute with a clever flicked finish to delight the Santiago Bernabéu crowd. Fran García rounded off the emphatic victory with a late fifth goal.

The win keeps second-placed Real Madrid within four points of Barcelona, who edged Espanyol 2–0 in Saturday’s Catalan derby.

The result also eased the pressure on head coach Xabi Alonso, who had faced speculation over his future following a run of inconsistent performances, despite being contracted until 2026.

With top scorer Mbappé sidelined by a knee sprain, Alonso turned to the 21-year-old as he did during last summer’s Club World Cup and was rewarded with a standout performance.

“These were three very special goals—my first hat-trick here at the Bernabéu and my first goals of the season,” García said after the match.

“I know I’m competing with the best players in the world like Mbappé, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius. I just focus on working every day and taking the chances the coach gives me.”