Man Utd flop Antony's Real Betis honeymoon period ends in dramatic fashion

Manchester United loanee Antony had made a flying start to life at Real Betis before Sunday's meeting with Getafe, but will now miss a meeting with Real Madrid after earning a needless red card.

The Brazilian had registered two goals and an assist in his first three La Liga appearances, also netting on his Conference League debut for the Seville club. He delivered another assist against Getafe, laying on the first of two goals for Isco, but was shown a straight red card in second half stoppage time.

Antony had little hope of getting the ball when he jumped into a challenge with Juan Iglesias, and was shown a straght red card. He wasn't the only one to get his marching orders, though, with Getafe's Domingos Duarte shown a second yellow just two minutes later.

Betis were able to hang on for a 2-1 victory despite ending the game with 10 men. Antony's pain didn't end with the final whistle, though, as his suspension will now keep him out of Saturday's match against big hitters Madrid.

It was a second league win on the spin for Betis after Antony delivered a goal and assist in a 3-0 victory over nine-man Real Sociedad in the previous game. “I can’t tell you about the sending off as I did not see it. But it is a pity we won’t have him in the next game," the manager said. “He is bringing us a lot, we’ll miss him in the next game, this will be a learning experience for him.”

Pellegrini's team sit seventh after their latest victory, 19 points adrift of their upcoming opponents. Madrid earned a win of their own on Sunday, with Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior on target in a 2-0 victory over Girona.

Betis are also into the Conference League round of 16 despite losing the second leg of their play-off against Gent. They'll take on Portuguese side Vitoria, with the first leg set for March 6.

Did Antony deserve his red card? Have your say in the comments section

Modric's goal was a stunner, with the veteran smashing the ball into the top corner of Paulo Gazzaniga's net from 25 yards. After the game, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti waxed lyrical about the Croatian international, who turns 40 in September.

“Luka Modrić is a gift to football and he can continue as long as he wants," Ancelotti said. "What he does, he does very well. Real Madrid have been lucky to have a legend who has defined an era and football have been lucky to have him because of his reliability, quality and professionalism.

“[Paolo] Maldini won the Champions League at 40 years of age and you can compare the two in terms of what it takes to be a footballer. They are fantastic examples and it is no coincidence that they have got to this age and are still playing.

"It's partly genetics, but above all, it's commitment and attitude. That's the only way to reach the age of 40, as Maldini did and as Modrić is going to do."

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