Antony Shines in Betis Victory Over Feyenoord

omidbasir- The 25-year-old forward entered the final round of the Europa League group stage with an impressive tally of eight goals and seven assists this season. He once again demonstrated his match-winning capabilities on Thursday night as Feyenoord visited, turning in a stellar performance that helped secure a 2-1 victory for Real Betis over the Dutch giants.

In the 17th minute, Antony exhibited his skill by gathering the ball at the edge of the penalty area, expertly maneuvering it before unleashing a perfectly placed shot into the side-netting. Shortly after the half-hour mark, he showcased his playmaking ability, finishing a characteristic dribble with a precise cross that was converted by Abde Ezzalzouli. Although Feyenoord managed to pull one back later in the match, Betis held firm to clinch an impressive fourth-place finish in the group stage, qualifying for the knockout round.

Antony has proven to be a vital asset in Betis’ European campaigns, contributing significantly to their journey to the Conference League final in the 2024-25 season, despite suffering a heavy defeat to Chelsea. His recent contributions have placed him on par with Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane for European goal involvements since joining Betis a year ago (14 total — eight goals and six assists) and just three behind Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé during the same period, according to Opta.

Since his initial loan to Betis one year ago, the Brazil international has accumulated an impressive 31 goal contributions in 51 appearances, including seven in six matches this season’s Europa League. However, he faced some adversity during his last La Liga appearance, experiencing a meltdown after being substituted in a 2-1 loss to Alaves.

In an effort to clarify his reaction, Antony took to social media, stating, “We are in a crucial phase of the season, and the most important aspect is Betis. The images from the last match reflect competitiveness and self-demand, never a lack of respect for the club or the team. We remain united, working hard and focused on our objectives.”

Reports suggest that Antony’s frustration stemmed more from his own performance rather than his substitution, as he has been grappling with fitness issues. His resounding comeback against Feyenoord is likely to boost his confidence as he aims to maintain this momentum in the upcoming league match against struggling Valencia. Antony has expressed that he feels at home at Betis, having actively pursued a permanent move there following his challenging stint at Manchester United.