Real Betis secured a commanding 3-0 victory over KAA Gent in the UEFA Conference League, marking their dominance at the KAA Gent Arena on February 13, 2025. The win puts the Spanish side on the brink of advancing to the knockout stages, thanks to impressive second-half goals from Antony, Cédric Bakambu, and Sergi Altimira.
The match began with both teams eager to establish control, yet it was the home side, Gent, who initially pressured the visitors. Despite their attempts, Real Betis struggled to find rhythm early on, perhaps weighed down by their recent domestic performance which included disappointing results.
After a scoreless first half where both teams squandered chances, including a disallowed goal from Gent’s Andri Gudjohnsen due to offside, the match turned dramatically shortly after halftime. Just two minutes post-break, Antony, on loan from Manchester United, unleashed a stunning strike to break the deadlock, demonstrating his growing confidence and immediately shifting momentum in favor of Betis.
With the score now 1-0, Betis found their pace, moving the ball with ease and applying relentless pressure on Gent's defense. Just six minutes later, Bakambu took advantage of Gent's defensive mishap to double the lead from close range after some swift buildup play involving Antony and Isco.
Finishing touches were applied by Altimira, who scored the third goal of the night from a corner, sealing a comprehensive victory for the green and white. The performance showcased Betis's offensive strengths, particularly highlighting Antony’s playmaking ability and the effective midfield partnership with Isco and Lo Celso.
Post-match, coach Manuel Pellegrini expressed satisfaction with the outcome but urged caution for the return leg, stating, “We are happy with the result, but there is still the return leg to play.” Meanwhile, Antony shared his delight, saying, “I am very happy for the goal, for the match, and for the win. For me, the most important thing is we won.”
Lo Celso also reflected on the team's performance, noting, “I feel good, and today I played slightly more withdrawn to help the team build from the back.” Overall, Betis not only secured victory but also instilled confidence heading back to Spain for the second leg, to be played on February 20, 2025.
This win marks a significant turnaround for Real Betis after struggling earlier this season and places them firmly on the path toward achieving progression in the tournament and possibly even eyeing matchups against top European clubs.