WATCH: Gonzalo Garcia fires Real Madrid ahead against Betis

Real Madrid must defeat Real Betis in order to keep pace with Barcelona, and they are on course for victory after taking the lead inside the first half at the Bernabeu.

Kylian Mbappe is not playing in this match due to a knee injury, but so far Real Madrid are not missing him. It is his replacement that has broken the deadlock on 20 minutes, with Rodrygo Goes’ freekick headed home at the back post by Gonzalo Garcia.

Gonzalo García’s first LALIGA goal! 🙌

Real Madrid take the lead against Real Betis thanks to the 21-year-old forward ⚪

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/O6fxepVznK

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 4, 2026

🚨🇪🇸 GONZALO GARCIA OPENS THE SCORING FOR REAL MADRID!

Real Madrid 1-0 Real Betis.pic.twitter.com/sTRXSy10za

— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 4, 2026

Gonzalo Garcia opens the scoring for Real Madrid 👏 pic.twitter.com/UBEcJtB8bN

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 4, 2026

It’s a special moment for Gonzalo, who scores for the first time in La Liga. His previous four goals for Real Madrid all came in last summer’s Club World Cup, but he is now underway in the league, which will delight him and Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid are hoping that 2026 is much better for them than 2025. So far, the signs are promising, although there is still plenty of time to go in this one.