The roar that erupted from the Benito Villamarín on Saturday evening was one of pure, unadulterated adoration, and it had a single name on its lips: Antony. In a performance that encapsulated both breathtaking skill and relentless efficiency, the Brazilian winger delivered a stunning individual masterclass, scoring two spectacular long-range goals and providing an assist to power Real Betis to a resounding 3-0 LaLiga victory over RCD Mallorca.
From the opening whistle, the 25-year-old appeared to be a man possessed, playing with a confidence and decisiveness that has been the hallmark of his fresh start in Seville. His first moment of magic arrived in the 28th minute. Picking up the ball on the right flank, he cut inside onto his favored left foot, as defenders braced for the inevitable. Instead of a cross, he unleashed a thunderous, curling strike that sailed past a helpless Mallorca goalkeeper and nestled into the far corner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
But Antony was far from finished. Just ten minutes later, he turned provider, demonstrating a growing maturity in his game. Driving at the heart of a retreating Mallorca defense, he drew multiple defenders before slipping a perfectly weighted through ball to a teammate for a simple finish, effectively putting the game to bed before halftime.
Any lingering doubts about Betis’ dominance were extinguished in a moment of sublime audacity in the 67th minute. Once again finding space outside the box, Antony let fly with another powerful, dipping effort that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot, sealing his brace and capping a near-perfect night.
The statistics from his 83-minute tour de force were as impressive as the goals themselves. He completed 86% of his passes, won crucial tackles, and was a constant menace, a performance that earned him a rare and deserved perfect 10/10 rating from Sofascore. This marked his second brace of the season, a testament to his central role in Manager Manuel Pellegrini’s system.
Since making his permanent move from Manchester United this summer, Antony has found a home where his flamboyant style is not just tolerated but celebrated. Under the calm guidance of Pellegrini, he has transformed from a peripheral figure in the Premier League into the undisputed talisman for Los Verdiblancos.
The three points propel Real Betis up to eighth in the LaLiga table, now sitting on 15 points from 11 games. More importantly, the victory, orchestrated so single-handedly by their Brazilian star, sends a clear message to the rest of the league: with Antony in this kind of scintillating form, Real Betis possesses a match-winner capable of lighting up any stage and steering them toward their European ambitions.
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