By SCM SPORTS REPORTER In Seville
REAL BETIS turned on the style in Seville last night to leave Panathinaikos’ European dreams in absolute tatters.
The Spanish side didn’t just overturn a first-leg deficit; they nuked it. A 4-0 demolition at the Estadio de La Cartuja sent a clear message to the rest of the Europa League: The Big Green Machine is back in business.
While the Greeks arrived with a slender 1-0 lead and a bus they intended to park, Betis brought the keys to the city. It took just eight minutes for the deadlock to break when Aitor Ruibal pounced on a rebound after a thunderbolt from Cucho Hernandez rattled the woodwork. Ruibal didn’t hesitate, rifling the ball home to level the aggregate score and set the tone for a night of dominance.
Panathinaikos looked like they were stuck in second gear, and Betis made them pay just before the tea break. Sofyan Amrabat, usually the midfield anchor, decided to show off his range. He picked up the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a guided missile into the top corner.
The stadium erupted, the Greek resistance crumbled, and the momentum was firmly with Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
The second half was less of a contest and more of a victory lap. Cucho Hernandez finally got the goal his tireless work deserved in the 53rd minute. After a slick exchange with Ruibal, the Colombian clinical finisher slotted it into the bottom corner to make it three.
But the night belonged to the stars, and none shone brighter than Antony. The former Manchester United man looked like a player reborn. In the 66th minute, he capped off a flowing move started by the electric Ez Abde, keeping his cool to stroke the ball past a helpless Alban Lafont.
Antony could have had a hat-trick, denied only by a string of desperate late saves from Lafont, but the damage was done.
”We knew we had the quality,” said a beaming Pellegrini. “Tonight, we showed the intensity to match it.”
Betis now march into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate victory and a date with Portuguese side Braga. On this form, few would bet against them going all the way.
