By our Man in Seville
MANCHESTER UNITED flop Antony finally found his samba magic in the Seville sun as Real Betis danced into the Europa League Round of 16.
The Brazilian winger, looking a world away from the frustrated figure often seen at Old Trafford, put on a masterclass to sink Robin van Persie’s injury-ravaged Feyenoord 2-1 at the Estadio La Cartuja.
Antony didn’t just play; he performed. After having an early goal for teammate Abde Ezzalzouli chalked off by VAR for his own foul in the build-up, the winger decided to take matters into his own hands. In the 17th minute, he picked up a loose ball, cut inside with that trademark shimmy, and unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner that left Timon Wellenreuther clutching at thin air.
But the “Antony Show” wasn’t over. On 32 minutes, he turned provider, whipping in a delicious cross that Abde Ezzalzouli gleefully nodded home to make it 2-0.
Feyenoord legend Robin van Persie, watching from the dugout, looked like a man who had seen this script before—only usually, he was the one writing the ending. Missing both starting center-backs, Van Persie was forced to hand a debut to 18-year-old Thijs Kraaijeveld.
Despite the defensive jitters, the Dutch side refused to roll over. Canadian striker Cyle Larin will be having nightmares about Pau Lopez after the Betis keeper pulled off a string of wonder-saves to keep him at bay.
The visitors did grab a lifeline in the 77th minute when Casper Tengstedt showed predatory instincts to lob Lopez from distance after the keeper had ventured too far from his nest.
Any hopes of a dramatic Feyenoord comeback were dashed by a cruel twist of fate. Shaqueel van Persie—son of the gaffer—had to be stretchered off with a serious-looking knee injury late on. With no subs left, the Dutch giants finished with ten men and their European dreams in tatters.
For Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis, the victory secures 4th place in the league phase and a direct ticket to the knockouts.
For Antony, it was a reminder to the world—and perhaps a certain club in Manchester—that the magic is still very much in his boots.
