Real Betis suffered a heartbreaking 4-1 loss to Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League final, leaving Manchester United loanee Antony in tears at full-time. Despite a strong individual campaign in Spain, the Brazilian winger fell short of capping his season with a trophy.
The match in Wroclaw was fiercely contested, with Betis taking an early lead through Ez Abde before halftime. However, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer turned the tide in the second half, setting up Enzo Fernández and Nicolas Jackson to swing momentum in the Blues’ favor. Substitute Jadon Sancho, another former Manchester United player, combined with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to extend Chelsea’s lead before Moisés Caicedo sealed the victory in stoppage time.
As the final whistle blew, Antony was visibly distraught, crouched on the pitch while Chelsea players, including Sancho, Levi Colwill, and Roméo Lavia, looked on sympathetically. The scene marked a stark contrast in fortunes for the two ex-United wingers—Sancho ended his loan spell at Chelsea with a European triumph, while Antony’s hopes were dashed despite his resurgence at Betis.
Antony, who struggled during his time at Old Trafford, rediscovered his form in La Liga, contributing nine goals and five assists in 26 appearances—a marked improvement over his underwhelming record at United (12 goals and five assists in 96 games).
Now, both players face uncertain futures. Chelsea could still opt out of their obligation to sign Sancho permanently, while Antony’s next move depends on whether Betis or another club meets United’s asking price.
Reflecting on the match, Colwill acknowledged Betis’ early threat but credited Chelsea’s patience, telling TNT Sports: “We knew they’d come out strong with their fans behind them, but we also knew their energy would drop. We stayed composed, waited for our moments, and took control in the second half.”
The emotional aftermath of the final highlighted the highs and lows of football, with Antony’s tears underscoring the pain of defeat while Sancho celebrated a hard-earned triumph.
