Gonzalo hits hat-trick as Madrid run riot in opening game of the year

Real Madrid got 2026 underway in some style, enjoying a thumping win over Betis at the Bernabéu. Gonzalo was the star of the show, delivering a spectacular display and opening the scoring after 20 minutes with a superb header. He doubled the lead after the break with a stunning right-footed volley from the edge of the box, and capped off his performance with a beautiful backheel finish. Fran García and Asencio also found the net, the latter scoring from another choreographed set-piece routine by Xabi Alonso’s side. Cucho Hernández grabbed Betis’ only goal.

Our team came out in determined fashion and nearly struck after just three minutes, when Valverde's powerful drive flew inches wide. The hosts looked dominant early on, but Betis held firm until the 20th minute, when Rodrygo whipped a free kick to the far post and Gonzalo rose to head home. From 1-0 until halftime, possession was evenly shared, with few clear chances at either end.

A Gonzalo masterclass
After the restart, Gonzalo quickly notched his second - a goal of pure class. In the 50th minute, Valverde crossed from the right, and the academy graduate brought the ball down nicely on his chest at the edge of the box, and without letting the ball drop, fired a precise volley past Álvaro Valles, whose outstretched hand could do nothing to keep it out. Just five minutes later, it was 3-0 thanks to another academy star: Asencio. Rodrygo swung in a corner, and the centre-back powered home a towering header.

End-to-end drama
From that point, the game exploded into life. Lo Celso hit the post from a free kick in the 62nd minute, and two minutes later Rodrygo was denied by Valles in a one-on-one. In the 66th minute, Cucho Hernández pulled one back for Betis (3-1), and ten minutes later Riquelme struck the woodwork. Our boys did find the back of the net again with 82 minutes gone, and it was that man again. Gonzalo completed his hat-trick with a sensational backheel finish from Carreras’ assist. The Bernabéu rose to a standing ovation as he was substituted in the 87th minute. Deep into stoppage time, Fran García added a fifth to put the gloss on a resounding win over Betis to kick off the year.