Antony’s first-half strike gives Real Betis a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid, avenging a heavy Copa del Rey defeat and denting the hosts’ title hopes.
MADRID: Real Betis gained swift revenge for a heavy cup defeat by securing a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.
Antony’s first-half strike proved the difference, just three days after Atletico had thrashed Betis 5-0 in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
The defeat leaves third-placed Atletico 13 points behind league leaders Barcelona. Betis, now fifth, closed the gap to the top four, sitting four points behind fourth-placed Villarreal.
Atletico captain Koke admitted his side failed to match their cup performance. “It’s a tough defeat to take after the great game we had in the cup, we weren’t as good as the other day,” he told Movistar.
“They set up a lot tighter at the back… We had very few chances and they played a great game.”
Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini made five changes and his reshuffled side were far more resilient at the Metropolitano stadium. The decisive moment arrived in the 28th minute through Brazilian winger Antony.
He unleashed an early 20-yard shot that surprised goalkeeper Jan Oblak at his near post. It was Antony’s 10th goal of the season across all competitions.
Atletico thought they had an equaliser when Diego Llorente headed into his own net with 15 minutes remaining. The goal was disallowed after Antoine Griezmann was ruled offside and interfering with play.
Betis midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo highlighted the team’s determined response. “The result (in the cup) was very, very hard to take… We had to correct a lot of things in these two days,” he said.
