Manchester United loanee Antony scored a beautiful goal for Real Betis as they eased past Girona in a convincing 3-1 La Liga win on Monday evening.
Antony has been reinvigorated since joining Betis from United in January, and has now scored five goals and logged four assists in 16 games.
Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini started the Brazilian on his favoured right side of a 4-2-3-1 formation that also included Abdessamad Ezzalzouli on the opposite flank and Cucho Hernández leading the line. Isco was deployed in the attacking midfield role.
Johnny Cardoso broke the deadlock just six minutes in, heading in a cross from Isco following a corner. Antony doubled Betis’ lead in the 39th minute.
Romain Perraud ran down the left flank and delivered an inch-perfect ball into the box that Antony connected with on his right foot to fire into the bottom corner. Antony performed a knee-slide celebration to mark the brilliant goal.
WHAT A FIRST-TIME FINISH FROM ANTONY FOR REAL BETIS!! 🔥
Amazing technique from the winger ✨ pic.twitter.com/Z2D3n9WONS
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 21, 2025
Isco added a third for Betis just three minutes later, effectively sealing the game before the break. Cristhian Stuani pulled one back in the 85th minute, but it was nothing more than a consolation for Girona. The result has left Betis in sixth place in La Liga on 51 points, six adrift of Athletic Club in the final Champions League spot.
During the 78 minutes he was on the pitch before being replaced by Jesus Rodriguez, Antony touched the ball 52 times and found his teammates with 33 of the 38 passes he attempted (87% pass accuracy). Two of his passes were key passes.
The 25-year-old connected with one of three crosses he aimed and all three crosses he pinged.
Antony fired three total shots, one of which ended up into the back of the net but the other two didn’t really trouble Paulo Gazzaniga. He completed two of the three dribbles he embarked on and missed one big chance.
The United loanee won two of the four ground duels he delved into. He was not required to contest any challenges in the air.
Antony made one interception.
(Stats obtained from Sofascore)
It was another impressive display from the former Ajax man, whose resurgence continues to gather momentum. With the summer transfer window on the horizon, he’s undoubtedly putting pressure on Betis to make his move permanent.
Featured image Alex Caparros via Getty Images
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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!
