Gonzalo García proved the perfect understudy for the injured Kylian Mbappé as his 'perfect' hat trick inspired Real Madrid to a 5-1 thrashing of Real Betis.

Mbappé's absence owing to a knee problem was a source of concern for Los Blancos given the France forward had scored 34 goals in all competitions.

But Garcia displayed the ruthless finishing that was in evidence at the Club World Cup last summer when the 21-year-old scored four times.

Raúl Asencio had extended the lead at 2-0 with his first Madrid goal before Cucho Hernández sparked a Betis rally that produced several uncomfortable moments for Xabi Alonso's side.

Garcia completed his treble with a cheeky back heel -- meaning he had scored right foot, left foot, header -- and substitute Fran García had the final word deep into stoppage time after latching on to Federico Valverde's pinpoint ball.

Madrid's fourth consecutive win in all competitions moved them back to four points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who beat derby rivals Espanyol 2-0 on Saturday.

Betis, who had won six of their previous eight matches, remain sixth in the league and in a European qualification place, and will take some satisfaction from a vastly improved second-half showing.

Vinícius Júnior caused early problems down the left flank as Los Blancos set up camp in Betis' half and threatened from every attack.

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Federico Valverde sent a low drive wide, Jude Bellingham had an effort blocked, and Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles palmed aside a Rodrygo shot that was going wide.

The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes when full-back Ángel Ortiz gave away a needless free kick to earn himself a caution.

Rodrygo swung it to the far post where Garcia's clever movement exposed some untidy defending, and the youngster headed back across goal from a few yards out and inside the opposite upright.

Betis managed to slow down Madrid attacks as the half wore on and Nelson Deossa underlined their improvement with a 20-yard strike that fizzed just wide.

Hernandez almost broke through for Betis before Garcia doubled Real's lead after 50 minutes.

Valverde found Garcia on the edge of box, and the forward chested the ball down to send a superb right-footed volley into the corner of the net.

When Asencio was left unattended to head home Rodrygo's 56th-minute corner, Betis looked dead and buried.

But Giovani Lo Celso's free kick bounced off a post and Thibaut Courtois saved smartly from Marc Roca.

Hernandez was then slipped through and rounded Courtois before drilling it past Antonio Rüdiger on the goal-line for his eighth goal of the season.

There were whistles after Betis substitute Rodrigo Riquelme struck the post with a superb effort with the Bernabeu crowd bemused by how the hosts had lost their way.

But Garcia converted Arda Guler's cross to take possession of the match ball and new hero status with the Madridistas.

The youngster's namesake Fran Garcia added further gloss with a precise finish after Valverde, the opposite full-back, provided another delightful assist.