Garcia nets hat-trick as Madrid belts Betis
Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia bagged a hat-trick to lead his side to a 5-1 victory over Real Betis at Santiago Bernabeu, trimming the deficit to LaLiga leader Barcelona to four points.
Xabi Alonso's side, which topped the table before a downturn in November, now has 45 points from 19 matches, second behind defending champion Barcelona, which beat Espanyol away on Sunday (AEDT).
Betis is sixth with 28 points.
Garcia, who lit up last year's FIFA Club World Cup with four goals, stepped up in the absence of LaLiga's top scorer Kylian Mbappe, sidelined by a knee injury. The 21-year-old was left unmarked at the far post to head in Rodrygo's precise cross for a deserved 20th-minute lead.
He doubled Madrid's lead early in the second half with a superb chest control and volley from Federico Valverde's long ball, before Raul Asencio added a header from another Rodrygo delivery.
Betis forward Cucho Hernandez pulled one back in the 66th minute, moments after Giovani Lo Celso struck the post, and the visitors looked more lively after the goal.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois then produced a string of saves to deny Rodrigo Riquelme and blocked a shot from Antony to preserve Madrid's advantage.
Garcia completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute with a superb back‑heel finish from Arda Guler's assist, before Fran Garcia rounded off the rout in stoppage-time by converting Valverde's cross past goalkeeper Alvaro Valles.
The win was Madrid's third in a row and kept the pressure on its arch‑rival, Barca.
"Right now, I'm pretty happy. It's a great way to start the year. Three goals that are special, my first goal this season and my first hat-trick at the Bernabeu," Garcia said.
"Mbappe is currently the best player in the world, he gives us a lot with his goals. My team-mates and the manager give me all their trust. I just go out there and give it my best.
"We know how demanding Real Madrid is, I have the best players in the world in front of me. I think about myself, I work hard every day and I make the most of every minute the manager gives me."
Los Blancos head coach Alonso said Gonzalo was an example to anyone looking to make the breakthrough into the first team, and is convinced there is still plenty more to come.
"Obviously, Gonzalo played a dream match at the Bernabeu in his first year with us," Alonso said.
"He was eager to score here, and I'm very happy for him, for his work both on and off the pitch. He's a great example of a homegrown player, and I congratulate him on the game. I encourage him to keep it up.
"Today's football demands teamwork off the ball. How the forwards initiate pressure is important, whether it's with a high press or by linking up, and Gonzalo understands that very well.
"He has great acceleration, and if we add his goalscoring ability to that, along with his defensive quality, he will always help the team's performance."
When asked if Mbappe would be fit to face Atletico Madrid in the semi-final of the Supercopa de Espana on Wednesday (AEDT), Alonso replied: "He's not ruled out, we'll wait until Tuesday."
Vinicius Jr, meanwhile, did not score or assist in the game, but Alonso maintained he was still happy with what the Brazil ace was able to produce against a well-beaten Betis.
"He contributed a lot, came on really well, drew a yellow card from his marker," he added.
"He's persistent and adds a lot to the team. I liked his performance, and he's going to be crucial. Now it's Atletico Madrid's turn and Vini is going to be very important, as always."
