Gonzalo treble helps Real Madrid thrash Betis, Atletico hopes dented

Gonzalo Garcia notched a hat-trick as Real Madrid secured a 5-1 victory over Real Betis on Sunday, keeping pace with La Liga frontrunners Barcelona.

The Spanish forward, stepping in for the injured Kylian Mbappe, struck first after 20 minutes and added a stunning volley shortly after the break to put Madrid firmly in control.

Raul Asencio then boosted Xabi Alonso's team further ahead, though Cucho Hernandez managed a consolation for Manuel Pellegrini's sixth-placed outfit.

Garcia, a product of Madrid's youth system, sealed his treble in the 82nd minute with a deft touch, thrilling the Santiago Bernabeu crowd, before Fran Garcia added a fifth in the closing stages.

Sitting second in the table, Madrid narrowed the gap to Barcelona to four points after the leaders ground out a 2-0 win against Espanyol in Saturday's Catalan clash.

Fourth-placed Atletico Madrid could only draw 1-1 away to Real Sociedad later that day.

The win lifted some heat off Alonso, who had clung to his position until 2026 amid speculation of dismissal following patchy results.

With star striker Mbappe out due to a knee issue, Alonso called on 21-year-old Garcia, just as he had in the summer Club World Cup.

Despite limited starts this term, after showing promise in the US tour, Garcia shone once more.

"These goals mean a lot, my debut hat-trick at the Bernabeu and my first of the season," he shared with journalists, while noting the battle for playing time ahead.

"Ahead of me are world-class talents like Mbappe, Rodrygo Goes, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius," he added.

"I concentrate on my own game, training hard daily and seizing chances from the manager, like today, hoping to contribute whenever I play."

Youth stars shine

Madrid dominated from the outset, going ahead via Garcia's header from Rodrygo's set-piece.

Betis fought their way back and posed more threats through the first half's end, yet failed to trouble keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Madrid pulled further clear soon after restart, with Garcia chesting down Fede Valverde's pass and smashing in a volley from distance.

Academy graduate Asencio headed in Rodrygo's corner for the third goal before the hour, marking one of Alonso's more assured displays.

With the result safe, Madrid eased off, allowing Betis chances as Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo Riquelme struck the frame, and Hernandez slotted past Courtois.

Garcia quickly re-established the three-goal buffer with a neat finish off Arda Guler's delivery, earning cheers from sidelined Mbappe.

In the dying moments, ex-youth defender Fran Garcia, now back after Rayo Vallecano, converted Valverde's centre to cap the rout.

"Remarkable that all five goals came from academy lads, highlighting the excellent development work," Alonso remarked.

"For Gonzalo with his treble, I'm delighted for him and the squad, a vital and earned triumph."

Atletico falter

Real Madrid will next meet Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Diego Simeone's team scraped a draw at Real Sociedad, now trailing Barcelona by 11 points.

Atletico drew level with third-placed Villarreal on 38 points, but with two extra games played and slipping further in the title chase.

Alexander Sorloth nodded Atletico in front early in the second half, only for Goncalo Guedes to equalise soon after, earning new boss Pellegrino Matarazzo a point in his debut match.

Simeone lamented missed opportunities from Conor Gallagher and replacement Antoine Griezmann.

"Had we been more clinical upfront, we could have masked the frustration from this stalemate," he said.

Matarazzo, from New Jersey, found positives in Real Sociedad's control over Atletico for much of the contest.

"Plenty to build on from today's showing, the team stayed united throughout the full 90 minutes," he noted.