\n
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Gonzalo Garc\u00eda scored his first, second and third goals in La Liga for Real Madrid with a hat trick in a 5-1 win over Real Betis on Sunday. <\/p>\n
The 21-year-old forward made an unusual start in place of Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, the league’s top scorer, who is out with a left knee sprain.<\/p>\n
Garcia made his debut with the first team in November 2023 after coming through Madrid’s youth system. He has been playing consistently under Xabi Alonso this season.<\/p>\n
“It was a dream match for him,” Alonso said of Garcia. “In his first season with the first team, playing at the (Santiago) Bernab\u00e9u (stadium), he came to score a hat-trick. He wanted to score here and I’m happy for him and the way he works every day, whether he gets the chance or not. He has an incredible attitude and is a great example of what it means to be a graduate of the Real Madrid academy.”<\/p>\n
Garcia took the lead in the 20th minute, heading in Rodrygo’s free kick that missed his marker at the far post.<\/p>\n
He deftly controlled the pass with his chest and volleyed home from the edge of the area to make it 2-0 in the 50th minute.<\/p>\n
Moments later, defender Raul Asensio headed in Rodrygo’s corner corner to score Madrid’s third goal, before Betis striker Cucho Hernandez pulled one back in the 66th minute.<\/p>\n
Garcia completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute when he connected with Arda Guler’s pass with his heel, before being substituted to thunderous applause.<\/p>\n
Substitute Fran Garcia scored the winner in stoppage time.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been a Madrid fan since I was a child and spent many years at the academy, so finishing the game with a standing ovation from the fans is a special moment that will stay in my heart forever,” said Gonzalo Garc\u00eda. \u201cI hope we can score many more goals, win more and have a special year for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The win kept second-place Madrid within four points of league leaders Barcelona. 2-0 victory over Espanyol<\/span> Saturday. Third-placed Villarreal trail Madrid by seven points, but have played two fewer games than either Madrid or Barcelona.<\/p>\nThe victory came after a two-week winter break for the Spanish club. Before the break, Madrid were struggling and pressure was mounting on Alonso to oversee a convincing victory like the one his team had against Betis.<\/p>\n
Madrid’s most convincing victory in a month comes before Alonso’s side travel to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup. They need to beat crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid in Jeddah on Thursday to face either Barcelona or Athletic Bilbao in the final on January 11.<\/p>\n
“It was a good and important win to start the year at home,” said Alonso. \u201cIt is extremely important that we start like this with a calm and positive mindset for the Super Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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