About three weeks had passed since Antony’s last goal, but that didn’t matter to Real Betis. The fans were not only satisfied with him but also captivated by his playing style and flair. After a stormy start with three goals and two assists in his first five matches, Antony shone again with an exceptional goal against Girona at Montilivi.

And what a goal! A stunning volley with the inside of his right foot that beautifully beat Gazzaniga’s net. Antony’s talent goes beyond statistics. His presence significantly elevated the quality of a team that included players like Isco, Lo Celso, and Fornals.

If Antony needed to prove his ability to make a difference again, he did so clearly against a goalkeeper who was once his teammate at Old Trafford. Apparently, David de Gea wasn’t familiar with the Betis version of Antony and didn’t realize how dangerous he could be. Thus, De Gea witnessed a breathtaking volley from the Brazilian that went straight into the top corner—with his right foot!

De Gea could do nothing against the sudden strike. Antony shone when his team needed him most, increasing the lead in the knockout match, although Luca Ranieri scored a late consolation goal for the opposition. This was a special day for Antony, as he became the first Brazilian in Betis history to score in the semifinals of a European competition.

De Gea Can’t Believe It

De Gea, who played with Antony at Manchester United in the 2022/23 season, joked about the goal: “I trained with him a thousand times, and he never scored with his right foot in training!”

His comments quickly went viral. He added: “Antony is fantastic. He has incredible one-on-one ability, and when he’s confident, he shows his true quality. He had an amazing game and goal.”

De Gea concluded: “I didn’t see where the shot came from—a player was blocking my view. He struck it really well with his right foot. I’m happy for him because he had tough times at Manchester United, and now he’s showing what a quality player he is.”