Real Madrid proved they don’t always need their galácticos.
On Matchday 18 of La Liga, played on the 4th, Madrid absolutely steamrolled Real Betis 5–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
With Kylian Mbappé sidelined through injury, the man trusted to step in was 21-year-old academy product Gonzalo García.
What followed was chaos — a striker’s masterclass featuring a header, a volley, and a cheeky heel finish. Three goals, zero mercy, and the Bernabéu lost its mind.
Gonzalo García: The “Proper No.9” Who Plugged the Mbappé Hole
In a match loaded with pressure — even Xabi Alonso’s future hanging in the background — the canterano stepped up and delivered.
Hat-trick breakdown:
- 20’ — Met Rodrygo’s free kick at the far post and buried it with a textbook header.
- 50’ — Valverde cross, chest control, thunderous volley. Bernabéu went nuclear.
- 82’ — Güler cross, left-foot heel flick. First career hat-trick sealed in style.
Media verdict: Spanish outlet Marca handed him the team’s highest rating, calling it “the night Madrid forgot Mbappé existed.”
He also walked away with Man of the Match via fan vote.
A Full-Blown Academy Party
It wasn’t just Gonzalo. Raúl Asencio and Fran García also got on the scoresheet.
The result? A rare stat not seen in 36 years — all five goals scored by academy graduates.
Comments
650: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:10
Feels soooo damn good.
655: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:11
Haven’t seen a properly aggressive Madrid performance in ages.
660: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:12
Vini heads off early again, honestly this guy…
662: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:12
Every single thing Vini does gets scrutinised now.
657: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:11
Did NOT expect LW Fran to score lmao.
664: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:12
If you let Fran attack, he actually shines. Always been like that.
668: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:13
Honestly Mbappé or Vini — you only need one.
That third Gonzalo goal was pure Raúl vibes.
670: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:13
Maybe just make Mbappé and Vini fight it out for one spot?
671: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:13
Gonzalo being top scorer at the CWC wasn’t a fluke.
What a match.
674: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:14
When Mbappé’s back, bench Vini and play Gonzalo.
Vini did basically nothing again — just a bit of dribbling, that’s it.
676: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:14
Team’s stronger with either Vini or Mbappé, but Vini gives more fluidity.
Mbappé as a last-15-min joker might actually work.
677: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:14
All five goals straight outta La Fábrica.
681: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:15
What’s scary about Gonzalo is every goal’s different.
Header, movement in the box, proper striker instincts.
691: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:18
>>681
He’s quicker than he looks, sees counters well, links play nicely too.
685: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:16
This reminds me of that season when youngsters kept smashing teams,
then the regular starters came back and goals dried up.
695: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:20
If Vini keeps demanding huge wages, playing selfish,
selling him might actually happen.
704: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 02:25
I’m grateful for the magic nights Vini gave us,
but mentally he’s gotta grow up. Modrić and Kroos aren’t here anymore.
732: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 03:16
Football’s about balance.
A proper No.9 was always needed.
Three left-heavy attackers? Even casuals know that breaks the team.
Perez, drop the Vini–Mbappé experiment already.
742: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 07:15
Perez forcing the Mbappé signing — both good and bad.
Vini’s a victim too.
But if you pick one, it’s Mbappé.
756: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 09:40
Thanks to Gonzalo and the Castilla lads, what a New Year.
Nico Paz coming back next season as well — buzzing already.
754: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 09:05
Feels like everyone’s tiptoeing around Mbappé.
Bit like Ronaldo days, but Bale and Benzema still held their own.
Ronaldo was pissed though lol.
767: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 11:41
Mbappé came, team got weaker, Vini lost confidence, vibes died.
If Mbappé never arrived, Gonzalo would’ve been starting ages ago.
770: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 12:34
>>767
At least it showed individual talent alone isn’t enough.
Vini’s attitude dipped after missing the Ballon d’Or anyway.
A Vini–Mbappé swap would be ideal, but it won’t happen.
771: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 13:11
Fede’s passing was insane.
For a moment he looked like a defensive Trent lol.
772: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 14:58
Gonzalo’s like Higuaín — bit smaller —
but people forget how awful his first start was.
Finally showing his real level.
776: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 15:38
>>772
Higuaín was never this good in the air though.
774: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 15:20
Mbappé’s ability is elite, but he’s a nightmare to fit.
Left side’s risky defensively, centrally he offers too little.
His goals don’t elevate the team.
777: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 15:39
Mbappé on the right could actually work:
Vini – Gonzalo – Mbappé
Uses Gonzalo’s height, no positional clashes.
792: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 16:47
>>777
Problem is having TWO players who don’t defend.
781: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 16:13
If you want the strongest Madrid, Gonzalo is non-negotiable.
But here we go again —
Perez only cares about getting Mbappé a Ballon d’Or.
Mbappé returns, Gonzalo gets benched.
789: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 16:38
>>781
Exactly. Perez’s favouritism trumps everything.
Gonzalo’s local, academy-raised —
maybe grow your own Ballon d’Or winner for once.
791: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 16:40
>>789
Couldn’t agree more.
I like Vini, but the next No.7 should be Gonzalo.
Next Raúl.
787: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 16:36
Vini’s defending was lazy again, zero goals, massive ego.
No way he coexists with Mbappé. Sell him.
788: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 16:36
We’ll just go back to Vini–Mbappé anyway, so don’t get excited.
This match just proved coexistence is impossible.
797: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 17:35
Mbappé LW, Gonzalo CF, Rodrygo RW.
Madrid instantly improve compared to before.
823: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 22:15
Gonzalo looked like Benzema out there.
824: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 22:17
That heading, finishing, positioning —
only Cristiano or Raúl level.
Benzema misses way more.
822: Anonymous Fan 2026/01/05 22:04
Just start Gonzalo every game already.
