Real Madrid vs Real Betis
Back at the Santiago Bernabéu to open their 2026 campaign, second-placed Real Madrid welcomed sixth-placed Real Betis in a clash between two sides arriving in form, both having won their previous two matches. The hosts were without their top scorer Kylian Mbappé due to injury, but any concerns about firepower were quickly put to rest on a dominant night in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid started by immediately setting the tone with early pressure and the first chance of the game. Rodrygo delivered Madrid’s opening corner in the fifth minute, and the Brazilian was at the heart of everything in the opening exchanges. Vinícius Júnior was brought down in the box shortly after, though the referee waved away Madrid’s penalty appeals. Corners and free kicks kept coming, with Rodrygo repeatedly fouled as Betis struggled to contain him.
The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute. After Ortiz crashed into Vinícius and received a yellow card, Madrid made their set piece count. Rodrygo’s delivery found Gonzalo, who rose highest to head the ball into the net and give Los Blancos a deserved lead. It was the reward for an intense start that saw Madrid pepper Betis’ goal with shots, including efforts from Camavinga and Tchouaméni, while Xabi Alonso was notably animated on the sideline.
Betis began to find their footing towards the end of the first half, earning a free kick in the 36th minute and forcing Courtois into his first real involvement after a corner. Nelson Deossa had a sight of goal from the edge of the box, but his effort flew over the bar. After two minutes of added time, the visitors were showing signs of life, setting up an intriguing second half.
That intrigue lasted only briefly. Madrid came out strong again, and Gonzalo struck for the second time, finishing off a beautifully worked move to make it 2–0. The 21-year-old was growing in confidence by the minute. Shortly after, Madrid extended their lead further: a Rodrygo corner caused chaos in the Betis box, and Asencio pounced in the 57th minute to score his first goal for Los Blancos and make it 3–0.
With Madrid in full flow, chances continued to come. Camavinga forced a save from Valles, Rodrygo went close again, and Courtois remained alert at the other end as Betis tried to respond. A costly lapse from Asencio briefly opened the door for the visitors, allowing Hernández to slip past Courtois and pull one back, and Betis suddenly looked dangerous. Riquelme even struck the post as Madrid endured a shaky spell at the back.
Alonso turned to his bench, bringing on Mastantuono and Arda Güler for Vinícius and Rodrygo, with Dani Ceballos replacing Tchouaméni. The changes paid off. In the 83rd minute, Güler provided a delightful assist for Gonzalo, who completed his hat-trick in style by flicking the ball into the net with his heel. The Bernabéu rose to its feet as Gonzalo was substituted shortly after, receiving a well-earned standing ovation.
There was still time for more. Fran García and Mendy came on as Madrid saw out the game, and deep into added time Fran García capped the night by making it 5–1, finishing off a move created by Valverde, who recorded his second assist of the evening.
It was a statement performance from Real Madrid to begin 2026: ruthless in attack, led by an outstanding Rodrygo and a memorable hat-trick from Gonzalo, and ultimately too strong for a Betis side that showed flashes but couldn’t live with Madrid’s intensity at the Bernabéu.
