Real Madrid vs Betis: On January 4, 2026, Real Madrid played Betis in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabéu. The home team won 5–1, thanks to a stunning hat trick from Gonzalo García. This brought Los Blancos within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid played a great game against Betis in their first big domestic match of 2026. They bounced back from recent struggles in their season. Gonzalo García, stepping in for the injured Kylian Mbappé, stole the spotlight with his three goals — the first of his La Liga career.
Madrid started the game aggressively, pushing Betis deep into their own half and making chances with quick attacking play. Rodrygo and Federico Valverde helped build early pressure, which led to Madrid’s first goal. García scored the first goal in the 20th minute, heading in Rodrygo’s free kick. This gave the home team the lead.
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Second Goal Extends Madrid’s Lead
The Los Blancos doubled their lead not long after the break in the Real Madrid vs Betis match. García expertly controlled a long ball and then blasted a powerful volley past Betis goalkeeper from the edge of the box in the 50th minute.
The match showcased Real Madrid’s quality in transition and in taking chances when they came. Their dominance was reflected in the scoreline, with further goals awaiting from both sides. Betis’ defense had a hard time dealing with Madrid’s speed, movement, and accuracy in the last third.
Asencio and Hernandez Score
Raúl Asencio scored a third goal for the home team in the 56th minute, making the Real Madrid vs. Betis game even more exciting. Asencio met a well-placed corner from Rodrygo and headed it home. Madrid’s attacking unity was clear as they seemed to set the pace of the game.
But Betis wasn’t completely out of the fight. Cucho Hernández scored for the visitors in the 66th minute, taking advantage of a mistake by Madrid’s defense to score from close range. The goal put Betis back in the running for a short time, showing that they wanted to challenge Madrid’s lead.
García Gets His Third Goal
Despite Betis finding the back of the net, the Real Madrid vs. Betis game quickly turned in favor of the home team again. García completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute with a clever flicked finish, turning home a cross from Arda Güler to delight the Bernabéu crowd and seal his place in Real Madrid folklore for the day.
This explosive performance not only gave García his first goals of the season, but also his first hat-trick for the club. It showed that he could make the most of his chances when star forward Mbappé was out.
Late Finish and Final Score
In the last few minutes of the Real Madrid vs. Betis match, Fran García scored a fifth goal for Madrid in stoppage time. Valverde’s perfect cross found the defender, who scored right away to finish off a great team win at the Bernabéu.
The result sent Madrid fans home in high spirits, pleased not only with the five goals but with the convincing nature of the performance as they continue to chase league leaders Barcelona in the title race.
Xabi Alonso’s Tactical Mastery
Coach Xabi Alonso got a lot of praise for how he set up the team and managed the players in the Real Madrid vs. Betis game. Alonso put García in charge of the line when Mbappé was out with a knee injury, and it worked out very well.
The young forward’s hat trick was the best part of a game that showed the depth of Madrid and how well they can adapt when things get tough.
Alonso’s midfield choices, including deploying Tchouaméni and Valverde in key transitional roles, helped Madrid dominate possession and create consistent threats going forward.
Betis’ Brave Response
The score of the Real Madrid vs. Betis game was one-sided, but Real Betis was competitive at times during the game. Betis reacted quickly after going down 3–0, making chances and putting pressure on Madrid’s defense. This is a good sign for a team that wants to finish high in the standings.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini said that his team’s defensive mistakes were the main reason for the loss, but he also pointed out times when his team played well against one of the best teams in the league. Betis are still in the middle of the table, and they can learn from this game as they try to stay consistent.
Madrid’s Best Players
Gonzalo García got a lot of praise for his movement, timing, and calmness in front of goal, in addition to his hat trick in Real Madrid vs. Betis. He scored three goals: one with a header, one with a volley, and one with a skillful flick. This shows that he can score in a variety of ways.
Rodrygo’s creative play was clear in both goals and build-up play, as he made important passes and long runs that kept Betis on the back foot. Federico Valverde’s job in the middle of the field helped set the pace for Madrid by smoothly connecting defense and attack. Courtois also made some key saves to stop Betis from finding the back of the net more than once.
Meanwhile, Cucho Hernández’s goal for Betis showed off his poaching skills, which is why he is still a threat in any La Liga game. Even though it was a tough afternoon, his effort made Betis fans happy.
Statistical Edge and Control of the Match
Madrid had the upper hand in key metrics during the Real Madrid vs. Betis match. The expected goals (xG) data showed how much better Madrid was than their opponents, as they created a lot more high-quality chances. Throughout the match, it was clear that they could handle pressure and take advantage of open spaces.
Betis was competitive, but they didn’t have the clinical edge to turn their few chances into goals. This is what sets the best title challengers apart from the mid-table contenders. Madrid’s clinical finishing in front of goal made the scoreline so clear.
Impact on the Title Race
Real Madrid are now in second place in La Liga with 45 points from 19 games, just four points behind Barcelona, who won their league game on Saturday. Madrid’s win puts more pressure on Barca, making it look like a two-horse race as the season reaches a critical point.
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This win was Madrid’s third in a row in the league, giving them more momentum as they try to stay in the title race even though their goal machine Kylian Mbappe is injured. As the season goes on, the strategic integration of youth and squad depth will be a common theme.
Historical and Squad Background
In Real Madrid vs Betis, the performance also highlighted the club’s strong youth development, with several goals scored by academy graduates — including García, Asencio and Fran García — showcasing the value of La Fábrica in shaping match-winners on big stages.
Madrid’s strategy is to mix experienced players with young ones to make a flexible squad that can handle injuries and a busy schedule. This reliance on young talent to fill in for senior stars is an example of that.
What Lies Ahead for Both Teams
Real Madrid’s next game is against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, and after that, they will face Levante in La Liga. This will be another test of their squad depth and rotation. As Barcelona keeps putting pressure on the top, it will be important to stay consistent.
On the other hand, Betis will regroup and work on fixing their defensive weaknesses and building on the attacking chances they had against Madrid. They have a six-point lead over teams in the lower half of the table, which gives them some breathing room, but they will need to keep playing well to finish strong.
Conclusion: A Statement Win at the Bernabéu
The Real Madrid vs Betis game was an exciting show of Madrid’s attacking power and team strength, with Gonzalo García’s hat trick being the most memorable moment of the day.
Real Madrid’s 5–1 win not only closed the gap with Barcelona, but it also showed the depth of their team, how well they can change their tactics, and how well they can play even when key players are injured.
As La Liga moves into the second half of the season, games like this one, where young and experienced players work together to get big wins, will be very important for Madrid’s hopes of winning the title and for the story of what should be an exciting race for domestic glory.
