Antony screamer the difference for Betis
Antony's screamer made the difference as Real Betis beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final.
Antony, who is enjoying a fruitful spell on loan at Betis from Manchester United, put Manuel Pellegrini's side 2-0 up with a stunning volley in the second half.
Despite a late flurry from Fiorentina after Luca Ranieri's 72nd-minute goal, Antony's effort proved decisive.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli put ahead after six minutes, finishing off the bar after excellent work from Cedric Bakambu, who registered an eighth goal contribution in his last six Conference League matches.
Former Real Madrid playmaker Isco was at the heart of everything good for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, having graced far grander stages on his way to winning five Champions League titles.
Manchester United loanee Antony then doubled Betis's lead emphatically in the 64th minute, thrashing a loose ball past David De Gea into the top left corner to score his third goal in the competition since arriving in January.
But with Betis seemingly in the driving seat, it was the visitor which pulled one back less than 10 minutes later, as a mistake from Aitor Ruibal allowed Robin Gosens to find Luca Ranieri, who finished first time.
Gosens went agonisingly close to equalising for Fiorentina, the German glancing header narrowly wide of the post from a corner late on, but the Italian side could not find parity and will have to overturn a narrow deficit in Florence next week if it is to reach the final and avenge its 2023 defeat to West Ham in Prague.
