Antony’s time at Real Betis keeps getting better, with the Manchester United loanee making headlines once again after a stunning performance in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off against Gent.
While Manchester United had the luxury of a break from European action after securing a top-eight finish in the Europa League phase, Betis had work to do. That gave Antony another chance to showcase his talent on Thursday night—and he did not disappoint.
The Brazilian winger stole the spotlight with a sensational goal, executed in his trademark style, leaving Spanish media in awe. With two goals in as many games, Antony is proving his worth at Betis and reminding United fans that his struggles over the past two seasons might not define his future.
Spanish Media Reaction to Antony’s Performance
Following Betis’ emphatic 3-0 victory, the Spanish press showered Antony with praise, recognizing the impact of his display.
AS highlighted how Antony electrified the Betis supporters with his spectacular strike:
“Antony returned to his signature move—cutting inside and delivering a perfect shot that sent the 1,500 traveling Betis fans into a frenzy. The Manchester United loanee is already making a difference in Seville.”
Mundo Deportivo noted the dramatic turnaround in Antony’s career, considering his struggles at Old Trafford:
“A player who was once ridiculed for his struggles at Manchester United has suddenly found new life at Betis. What initially seemed like a desperate gamble is now looking like an inspired decision. It’s early days, but Antony appears to be settling in well. He showed his quality in the first half and came close to scoring on two occasions.”
El Desmarque awarded Antony an 8/10 rating, emphasizing his ability to deliver moments of brilliance:
“A quality goal, and an important one too. The first goal in any game is always the most difficult, but Antony executed it flawlessly. His signature diagonal run and curling shot were on full display. The best players don’t need time to adapt.”
Estadio Deportivo also gave the Brazilian an 8/10, labeling him ‘unstoppable’:
“His first attempt showed his technical class, controlling the ball before aiming for the post. Antony is eager to impress, sometimes to the point of making mistakes, but his quality is undeniable. His decisive strike was classic Antony—driving forward and unleashing an unstoppable shot from distance.”
Diario de Sevilla acknowledged Antony’s persistence, stating that his goal was the result of repeated attempts:
“He tried the same move three times—and he’ll likely keep trying it until May. The first effort was saved, the second went wide, and the third was perfectly placed into the net.”
‘The GOAT’ at Betis?
Antony’s outstanding display earned him his second Man of the Match award since joining Betis. The club’s official X account even dubbed him “La Cabra”—Spanish for “The GOAT”—in recognition of his standout moment.
Beyond his goal, Antony’s overall performance was solid, though not groundbreaking. Nevertheless, his impact was undeniable, and his growing confidence at Betis is a positive sign for both the Spanish club and Manchester United.
If he maintains this form throughout the season, United could be in a strong position to recoup a significant portion of their £86 million investment—potentially around £25 million, which would be a respectable outcome for the club.
Up next for Antony is a clash with Real Sociedad on Sunday night, where he’ll be aiming to make it three goals in three games.
