In a dramatic La Liga clash between Real Betis and Girona, Brazilian midfielder Antony was sent off in the 90th minute after attempting an acrobatic bicycle kick that echoed the style of Cristiano Ronaldo—but ended in an unfortunate red card.
The incident unfolded during the final moments of the 1-1 draw when Antony launched into a daring overhead kick. However, instead of striking the ball, his foot made direct contact with Girona defender Joel Roca’s face. Initially, the referee allowed play to continue, but after VAR review, a straight red card was issued.
Despite the severity of the decision, Antony’s remorseful reaction won the hearts of Betis supporters. Antony folded his hands in apology and bowed toward the stands, a gesture that prompted the home crowd to rise and applaud his sportsmanship.
Following the match, Antony took to social media to further express his regret:
“I’m ashamed to have received that red card. I just wanted to help my team win. It was never intentional. I sincerely apologize to our fans. Thank you for your unwavering support.”
Since making a permanent move to Real Betis this summer, Antony has shown impressive form scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist in just 8 La Liga matches. His contributions have helped lift Betis to fifth place on the league table with 21 points after 13 games.
However, his absence in the upcoming Andalusian derby against Sevilla will be a significant blow for manager Manuel Pellegrini. Although Antony’s appearance may suggest a fiery persona, his playing style has largely been clean and controlled. This marks only the fourth red card in his professional career, with previous dismissals coming during his time at São Paulo, Ajax, and once before with Betis.
Last season, Antony was also sent off late in a match against Getafe for a rough challenge from behind. Still, his genuine remorse and passion for Betis continue to earn him favor among the Andalusian faithful.
Sources: 24h