Antony's Stunning Strike Revives Betis' Champions League Dreams: Weekend Highlight

Source: ESPN, Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Antony Reignites His Spark in Spain with Stunning Match-Winner for Betis

Once a familiar sight in Manchester red, Antony’s signature move—cutting inside and curling a shot with his favored left foot—had long since vanished from his game. With confidence drained and form faltering, even attempting such flair had become a rarity. Eventually, he stopped trying altogether.

Now donning the green of Real Betis, the Brazilian winger’s rebirth in La Liga had been gathering momentum. Yet it lacked a defining moment—until now. With the clock ticking into the 91st minute and Betis’ Champions League ambitions hanging by a thread, Antony rolled back the years.

A step inside, a deft shift of balance, and a whip of the left boot. The ball curled with venom, nestling into the top corner. It was a moment of vintage brilliance, one that echoed his Ajax heyday—where manager Erik ten Hag once likened him to the great Arjen Robben for his ability to create magic cutting in from the flank.

That comparison felt a world away during his underwhelming 96-game spell at Manchester United. The €110.75 million investment seemed misguided, and Antony's reputation slid into meme territory. Even under Ruben Amorim’s management, the spark refused to return. When Betis came calling in January, few saw the loan as anything more than a career lifeline.

But something changed in Seville.

Perhaps it was the soul of the club—a proud, working-class institution deeply rooted in community and grit. A place where slogans like "Viva er Betis manque pierda" ("Long live Betis, even in defeat") resonate. For a player raised in the favelas of Osasco, it was the kind of support system he needed. Others had found redemption here—Héctor Bellerín, Isco—and now Antony has too.

He’s repaid the faith. With ten goal contributions in 19 appearances—compared to the 72 games it took him to reach the same tally at United—Antony has found rhythm and purpose. His right-footed volley that secured a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the Conference League semi-final first leg was already a highlight.

Now came this weekend.

Betis traveled to face Espanyol, a team they’d struggled against in recent years. Things looked grim when Roberto Fernández put the hosts ahead in the 28th minute. Espanyol’s keeper, Joan Garcia, was in inspired form, thwarting chance after chance. Time was slipping away.

Source: ESPN, Facing up to Javier Puado, Antony slowed the game down. 89:59 on the clock. Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Then, in the 85th minute, Giovani Lo Celso surged forward on a solo run and grabbed a deserved equalizer. The game ignited. Betis poured forward, driven by belief. In stoppage time, Isco danced down the wing and fired a low cross. A defensive mix-up followed. The ball popped up, met Bellerín at the edge of the box, and he smartly fed Antony on the right.

Antony paused. He squared up to his defender, Javier Puado. With seconds left, he performed a feint, a hip swerve, a flash of trickery—and created just enough room. The shot was clinical, audacious, perfect. It flew into the top corner like a guided missile. Garcia didn’t move. The Betis fans erupted. Isco clutched his head in disbelief. Ezzalzouli dropped to the turf. Even Antony’s teammates stood stunned.

He had arrived—again.

Source: ESPN, Puado knew this was coming, but it didn’t matter Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

“I’ve said it before—Real Betis helped me rediscover who I am. And the fans helped me feel that love again,” Antony said post-match. “I joked with the coach that after my right-footed goal, I owed one with the left. Now I’ve done both.”

It was more than a goal. It was a statement. For a player once written off, for a team chasing a dream, and for a moment that reminded everyone just what Antony is capable of.

For rekindling the fire and delivering the spectacular when it mattered most, Antony claims ESPN’s Moment of the Weekend.