Manchester United winger Antony expressed mixed emotions after scoring his first goal for Real Betis, feeling delighted with the milestone but disappointed by the team’s defeat to Celta Vigo.
Antony was named man of the match for the second successive game after finding the back of the net just 11 minutes into the action at Estadio de Balaídos.
The United loanee broke the deadlock in fine style, picking up the ball inside the box before he took a touch with his right foot, shifted it onto his left, opened up his body and sent his effort into the bottom corner.
Defender Diego Llorente doubled Betis’ advantage soon after. It seemed like the visitors were cruising and headed for a win but Celta came out fighting in the second half.
Celta scored thrice to ultimately run out winners and condemn Betis to a bitter defeat.
Despite Celta clinching all three points, Antony was named man of the match for his exploits. During the 72 minutes he was on the pitch, Antony touched the ball 45 times and successfully completed 22 of the 29 passes he completed.
He connected with the one cross he pinged. The 24-year-old won the one aerial duel he contested and three of the six ground duels he delved into.
(Stats obtained from Sofascore)
Spanish news outlet Cope wrote about Antony’s finish, “Betis is excited and Antony responds: the gesture he makes with his ankle is very magical.”
After the final whistle, Antony posted a message on social media, expressing his sadness at the result despite scoring his first goal since moving to Seville.
Antony wrote on Instagram, “A day of many feelings. Happy with my first goal for Betis, but sad with that result, after going ahead.”
“We deserved more, we wanted more. We will continue to work hard to get victories and correct our mistakes for the next matches!”
He also spoke to DAZN [via The Mirror] and remarked, “It was very difficult. We started off doing very well by scoring two goals, but we have to change our mentality. We scored two but we have to be focused throughout the match, the 90 minutes. We have to work to improve.”
“We have to change our mentality, start and finish well. We have to work harder, look at what we are not doing well to win the three points.”
“Day by day, training session by training session, game by game, we have to be focused in every game to get the three points.”
Betis are 10th in La Liga, with 29 points gained from a possible 69.
Featured image Fran Santiago via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
