Overview
- Real Madrid overwhelmed Real Betis 5-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu in LaLiga’s matchday 18, with the hosts asserting control early and pulling away after halftime.
- Gonzalo García scored three times — header on 20 minutes, a chest-and-volley shortly after the break, and a late backheel — while Raúl Asencio and Fran García added the others for Madrid.
- Betis’ consolation came from Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernández, as Manuel Pellegrini’s side lost its unbeaten away league record.
- Kylian Mbappé missed the match with a reported left-knee sprain, opening the door for García to start and lead the line.
- Elsewhere in LaLiga, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s Real Sociedad drew 1-1 with Atlético de Madrid in his debut and Luis Castro’s Levante won 3-0 at Sevilla with goals from Iker Losada, Álvaro Espí and Carlos Álvarez.