In a thrilling display of football, Real Betis emerged victorious against Girona with a 3-1 win on April 21, 2025, showcasing a remarkable performance from their loanee, Antony. The Brazilian winger, who has been on loan from Manchester United, continues to impress in Spain, scoring a stunning goal that has fans calling for his return to Old Trafford next season.
Antony, who joined Manchester United in 2022 for a hefty £86 million from Ajax, faced a challenging start to his Premier League career, netting only 12 goals and providing five assists in 96 appearances. After falling out of favor with the club following the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim, Antony was loaned to Real Betis during the January transfer window. Since then, he has revitalized his form, tallying six goals and four assists in just 17 appearances for the LaLiga side.
The match at Estadi Montilivi began with Betis making a swift impact. Johnny Cardoso opened the scoring in the sixth minute by heading home a corner from Isco, setting the tone for the match. Girona struggled to respond effectively until the 29th minute when Yaser Asprilla tested Betis goalkeeper Adrian with a shot from the edge of the area.
Antony's moment of brilliance came shortly after, as he scored Betis' second goal in the 39th minute. Romain Perraud delivered a beautiful cross, and Antony, showcasing his skill, volleyed the ball into the net with his weaker right foot. This remarkable finish left Manchester United fans in awe, with many taking to social media to express their desire for the winger to be given another chance at his parent club. One fan tweeted, "He deserves another chance IMO," while another exclaimed, "What a finish too. Antony for Ballon D’Or!"
Just three minutes later, Betis extended their lead when Abde Ezzalzouli, after having his initial shot saved, managed to set up Isco for a goal, allowing the veteran player to cap off his 33rd birthday in style. The first half ended with Betis firmly in control, leading 3-0.
In the second half, Girona attempted to mount a comeback, creating several chances. Their best opportunity came when Daley Blind slipped the ball through to Portu, but Adrian's reflexes kept the shot at bay, allowing Natan to clear the danger off the line. The goalkeepers were kept busy throughout the match, with Gazzaniga making a double save to deny both Antony and Cucho Hernandez.
As the match approached its conclusion, Girona finally found the back of the net when Cristhian Stuani bundled in a goal from a corner. However, this late effort was too little too late, as Girona now finds themselves in a precarious position, having gone 10 LaLiga matches without a win for the first time in their history, remaining just three points above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Real Betis continues to build momentum, having lost only once in their last nine league outings. Their recent form has been a welcome turnaround, and the victory against Girona is a significant boost as they aim to secure a strong finish in the league.
Antony's resurgence at Betis has not only reignited his career but also sparked discussions among fans and pundits alike about his potential return to Manchester United. With performances like these, it’s clear that the Brazilian has much to offer, and many supporters are hopeful he can replicate this success should he return to the Premier League.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Antony to see if he can maintain this form and help Betis climb higher in LaLiga, while Manchester United will be watching closely to evaluate whether they should reintegrate the talented winger into their squad next season.
