When tears hit the Bernabéu: Madrid dominance, Betis tamed 5-1 and a hat-trick shock

Match reaction and Valverde's near tears

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde revealed he was on the verge of tears before the match, which finished in a sweeping 5-1 victory over Real Betis in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday.

Valverde told the club channel after the game that he almost cried, grateful his children were there to watch their dad in the stadium atmosphere.

He added that Madrid delivered a big, brilliant win with a strong start for the first 35 minutes, though the final minutes of the first half showed areas to improve.

Garcia's hat-trick and next steps

Valverde congratulated teammate Gonzalo Garcia for his hat-trick against Betis, saying he deserved the day and works hard, always supporting the team.

Regarding the upcoming Super Cup clash with Atletico Madrid, he said the team must rest and return to the Super Cup with maximum energy for a very important match.

Madrid derby and broadcast

The Madrid clubs will face off again on Thursday in a match broadcast exclusively on the Eight app, the official broadcaster of the fixture.

Madrid's performance left fans smiling and the defense quietly reminded Betis that chasing shadows at the Bernabéu is a risky hobby.

Sniper punchline 1: If tears counted as goals, Valverde would be leading the charts by now, with a sponsor banner waving in the background.

Sniper punchline 2: After this performance, the only thing sharper than Madrid's passes might be the squad's dramatic pauses—call it post-match cinema, starring Valverde.