Just days after the pain of a thumping 5-0 Copa del Rey defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid, Real Betis conjured one of their most resilient—and historic—victories on Sunday night. At the Estadio Metropolitano, a venue where they had never tasted success, Betis turned the page in stunning fashion, narrowly edging Diego Simeone’s men 1-0 in a fiercely contested LaLiga duel. For Betis, this wasn’t just three points—it was a moment of pride and proof of character, erasing some of the scars inflicted by that midweek cup exit.
Early tension and tactical chess
From the first whistle, intensity crackled across the Metropolitano. Atletico, fresh from their demolition job, were eager to stamp their authority again, with Jose Maria Gimenez testing Alvaro Valles early with a powerful header. Yet, it was Betis who looked hungrier, more focused, as they absorbed wave after wave of pressure before seizing their moment. Ademola Lookman, aiming to replicate his recent heroics, spooned an early chance wide, giving the visitors a brief scare.
Both sides traded half-chances in the opening stages, with each defence displaying plenty of discipline in marshaling opposition threats. Betis’ patience was paying off, but it was clear they needed something special to break Atletico’s resolve.
A moment of magic: Antony steals the headlines
The game’s defining moment arrived in the 28th minute, as Betis’ Antony carved his name into the history books with an audacious strike. Gathering the ball outside the Atletico area, he breezed past Mateo Ruggeri as if dancing through a corridor of uncertainty. With minimal backlift, he curled a sensational shot past Jan Oblak at the near post—a finish dripping with style and intent.
What makes this even more extraordinary? Among all players in the top five European leagues this season, Antony boasts the highest percentage of goals from outside the box (of those with 10 or more goals), with a remarkable 60% (6 out of 10). Not only was his goal a technical masterpiece, but it also highlighted his penchant for the spectacular—a vital weapon in Betis’s attacking arsenal in 2025/26.
Atletico's response: pressure without reward
Stung by the setback, Atletico Madrid laid siege to the Betis goal. Alexander Sorloth, twice supplied superbly by Antoine Griezmann, forced excellent saves from Valles, while the raucous crowd roared for an equalizer. The tension reached fever pitch in the 74th minute when the hosts appeared to have found their lifeline: Diego Llorente, under intense pressure from Griezmann, turned into his own net. However, jubilation swiftly turned to frustration following a VAR review, which ruled Griezmann offside in the build-up.
The margins were razor-thin—the difference between agony and ecstasy for both sets of fans. The stats tell a similar story: Betis recorded an expected goals (xG) total of 0.94, narrowly shading Atletico’s 0.66 xG, underlining the tightly contested nature of the encounter.
What this win means for Betis—and LaLiga
This landmark victory sends Betis soaring into the top five of LaLiga and narrows the gap to Atletico Madrid to just seven points. It’s not merely a boost in the standings—it’s a statement of intent for a side whose mettle was ruthlessly tested less than 72 hours before.
- First-ever win for Betis at the Estadio Metropolitano
- Antony now holds a unique scoring record among Europe’s elite
- Betis showed impressive defensive discipline against one of the league’s top attacks
Sunday’s triumph was more than just a statistic in the 2025/26 LaLiga season; it was a testament to football’s unpredictable drama and the emotional rollercoaster it delivers. Betis’ ability to regroup after despair, and Antony’s moment of magic, offer a tantalizing glimpse into a side on the rise.