Updated on
Summary Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat trick in Real Madrid 4-1 win over Real Betis in the Spanish League.
After an evenly matched first half, Madrid dominated the rest of the way as Higuain broke through early in the second half and Kaka soon doubled the lead at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.Striker Jorge Molina pulled one back for Betis, but Higuain scored twice more in four minutes to secure the win.The 23-year-old Higuain has scored three hat tricks in 15 days two with the Spanish giants and one with Argentina and his eight goals this season ties him for the league lead with Barcelonas Lionel Messi.Madrids third straight victory lifted it two points above Levante and Barcelona, which hosts Racing Santander later.Elsewhere, Tomar Hemeds injury-time penalty kick salvaged a 1-1 draw for Mallorca against visiting Valencia in the debut of coach Joaquin Caparros, while Villarreal drew 0-0 at Getafe as both teams continue to disappoint.France defender Adil Rami scored from a corner to put Valencia ahead in the 39th, but Hemed converted his third spot kick in two games to split the points in the 93rd after Mehmet Topal handled the ball in the area.Later, Atletico Madrid looks for its first win in three games as it plays Granada.In the Spanish capital, Kaka extended his return to form to again make Madrids starting 11 alongside Germany playmaker Mesut Oezil, while Higuain got the nod over Karim Benzema, who returned to the squad after injury.Higuain, who had lost his starting job to Benzema, has found his scoring form after a back injury sidelined him for a large stretch of last season.
