Manchester United rallied at halftime and then overwhelmed Real Betis in the Europa League Round of 16, delivering a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford that shores up their chances to advance, with the return leg looming in Seville.
The path to the win followed a painful 7-0 defeat at Liverpool four days earlier, yet United refused to crumble. They reset with urgency, taking control from the opening whistle and maintaining pressure throughout, turning the tie in their favor and setting up a decisive second leg.
The Red Devils dominated from start to finish, while Betis hoped for a late miracle as Ayoze Pérez opened the scoring for the visitors. In the second half, United found their rhythm, and Antony capped the momentum with a sealing goal, transforming a draw into a comfortable lead for the home side.
Snow’s presence from the previous match was not required this time as United pressed Betis high up the pitch, showing that Liverpool’s big result was an exception rather than a trend.
Within six minutes of kickoff, Erik ten Hag’s squad signaled their intent with sharp, proactive play and a near-miss offside by Weghorst underscoring their resolve to press forward.
Rashford sprang onto a loose ball as though it were a quick indoor game, threading a precise strike into the far corner and reminding everyone why he is among England’s in-form players.
“Marcus Rashford, tense but focused,” rang out from the stands during the broadcast, capturing a home night that hinted at much more for United.
Betis created chances to maintain pressure, with Weghorst and Rashford testing the visitors’ resolve. Around the half-hour mark, Juanmi orchestrated a ball from the left, cut inside, and fed Ayoze, who finished with composure past De Gea to level the scores and echo Rashford’s earlier strike.
Ayoze’s long-range finish drew praise on social feeds and broadcasts, lauding Betis’s ability to step up in big moments and showcasing a feel for Premier League-style football in a Spanish outfit.
Once more, the match hinged on a single decisive moment. Ayoze sent a header toward goal, De Gea’s steady hands held firm, and Betis pressed to seize the lead before halftime. The interval brought nerves as the clock ticked down.
The second half belonged to United. They carried the momentum into the later stages with a growing sense of inevitability. Antony found the net to push the score to 3-1, and a flurry of rapid exchanges and accurate finishes left Betis pursuing chances that never fully materialized.
Antony’s blend of skill and instinct became the night’s defining feature, his quick attacks and clever link-ups keeping Betis off balance. The Brazilian international answered with a decisive goal, cementing United’s advantage and guiding the team toward a solid lead heading into the return leg.
Earlier in the contest, United had moved into a leading position on aggregate thanks to a well-executed set piece. Luke Shaw’s corner found Bruno Fernandes at the far post, and the Portuguese midfielder calmly steered a header into the net. Moments later, Fernandes narrowly avoided a red card after a late challenge on Claudio Bravo, a call not reviewed by VAR.
With eight minutes remaining, Facundo Pellistri pierced Betis’s defense and delivered a through ball to McTominay, who converted past Bravo. The keeper briefly kept Betis in touch, but Weghorst finished from the far post to seal a 4-1 victory for United, providing a robust platform for the return in Seville.
Despite the comfortable margin, Betis faces a stern challenge to overturn the result on their own turf, needing a historic performance to stay competitive in the tie.
Data sheet:
4 – Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lisandro, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Weghorst. Substitutes: Wan-Bissaka for Dalot at 46, Malacia for Shaw at 66, McTominay for Fred at 82, Pellistri for Antony at 82, Sancho for Rashford at 66.
1 – Real Betis: Bravo; Sabaly, Luiz Felipe, Edgar, Abner; Guido, William Carvalho; Luiz Henrique, Ruibal, Joaquín, Juanmi; Ayoze Pérez. Substitutes: Guardado for Guido at 66, Canales for Joaquín at 60, Willian José for Juanmi at 80, Iglesias for Ayoze at 66.
Goals: Rashford 6, Ayoze 32, Antony 52, Fernandes 58, Weghorst 82.
Referee: Daniel Siebert. Weghorst and Fernandes booked. The match took place at Old Trafford, Manchester, in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16.