Real Madrid opened 2026 in emphatic fashion, dismantling Real Betis with a convincing 5–1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu. Sitting second in the La Liga table, the hosts delivered a complete performance that underlined their title ambitions.
Match Highlights
The undisputed star of the night was Gonzalo Garcia, who produced a superb hat-trick. He opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a powerful header, doubled the lead in the 50th minute with a precise strike from outside the box, and completed his treble in the 82nd minute with a composed finish inside the area.
Raúl Asencio added a third goal in the 56th minute, heading home from a Rodrygo assist, while substitute Francisco Garcia sealed the rout in stoppage time. Real Betis managed a consolation goal through Cucho Hernández in the 66th minute, but it did little to change the flow of the match.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Real Madrid | Real Betis |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 14 | 7 |
| Shots on target | 6 | 3 |
| Possession | 59% | 41% |
| Passes | 442 | 279 |
| Pass accuracy | 93% | 85% |
| Corners | 4 | 6 |
Starting Lineups
Real Madrid (4-4-2)
- Courtois — Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Carreras
- Rodrygo, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Bellingham
- Gonzalo Garcia, Vinícius Júnior
Real Betis (4-2-3-1)
- Valles — Rodríguez, Natan, Bartra, Ortiz
- Roca, Deossa
- Antony, Fornals, Ruibal
- Cucho Hernández
Conclusion
The 5–1 result further strengthens Real Madrid’s position near the top of the La Liga table and sends a strong message to their title rivals. Despite earning more corners, Real Betis were unable to cope with Madrid’s attacking quality and second-half intensity.