Real Madrid forward Gonzalo García impresses with a hat trick in 5-1 rout of Betis

By Canadian Press on January 4, 2026.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Gonzalo García scored his first, second and third goals in La Liga for Real Madrid on Sunday with his hat trick dominating a 5-1 rout of Real Betis.

The 21-year-old forward was making a rare start in place of the injured Kylian Mbappé, the league’s top scorer, who is sidelined with a left knee sprain.

García came up through Madrid’s youth sides before debuting with its first team in November 2023. He has had steady minutes under Xabi Alonso this campaign.

García got going in the 20th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu when he headed in a free kick from Rodrygo after getting free of his marker at the far post.

He deftly controlled a pass with his chest before volleying a strike home from the edge of the area to make it 2-0 in the 50th.

Defender Raúl Asencio headed in Rodrygo’s corner for a third Madrid goal shortly after.

Betis striker Cucho Hernández pulled one back for the visitors in the 66th, but Gonzalo got his hat trick in the 82nd with a flick of his heel to turn in a pass by Arda Guler.

Fran García rounded off the big win in stoppage time.

The win kept second-placed Madrid within four points of Barcelona after the leader won 2-0 at Espanyol on Saturday. With third-placed Villarreal seven points behind Madrid, the league is heading toward a two-team race at this stage.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Joseph Wilson, The Associated Press