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SEVILLE, Spain: When Antony was loaned from Manchester United to Real Betis, the Spanish club were confident they were signing a player who would change the club’s fortunes and not a sad figure struggling in the Premier League.

Antony arrived at United for almost £81 million in 2022, but when he left the club last January he lost the sting that made him entertaining to watch at Ajax Amsterdam.

Once hailed for guiding the Dutch club to the Eredivisie title, the Brazilian winger failed to live up to his price tag and was loaned to Betis after picking up more yellow cards than goals scored in two-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford.

However, Betis have plans for him and despite being mocked for their David Lynch-inspired video introducing their new player, the Seville-based club are now reaping the rewards.

Since his arrival, Antony has scored four goals and provided four assists in 12 appearances in all competitions as Betis battle to win the UEFA Conference League and qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“I’m very happy… I found myself, I need to find myself, I need to be happy, I need my family to be happy too. Every day that passes, I see it’s the best decision I’ve made,” Antony told DAZN.

“I enjoy this city, the clubs, every day. Seville reminds me of a lot of things from Brazil – the sun, the food, everything. The people here are also very friendly. I’m very happy and it’s important for us as Brazilians.”

The 25-year-old has rediscovered his confidence with the ball that he lost during his time at United.

Betis were 10th when he arrived but now – following six consecutive wins including a 2-1 win at local rivals Sevilla – Manuel Pellegrini’s side are sixth, six points off the top four.

Betis have not played in the Champions League since the 2005-06 season and are prepared to keep Antony at the club beyond the current campaign.

The club has no option to buy Antony but if it were up to them, he would make the Estadio Benito Villamarin his new home.

“I’m grateful to United for everything… I’ve had some tough times at United, but also some really good times,” he said.

“I’m also getting ready to be here today, having fun. Yes, today my mind is here, I’m very happy.”

VALENCIA, Spain: Defending Nations League champions Spain qualified for the semi-finals after winning 5-4 on penalties against the Netherlands, after the second quarter-final early this morning ended 3-3 and 5-5 on aggregate.

Donyell Malen missed a penalty and Barcelona’s Pedri converted the winning spot-kick in a thrilling encounter in which the Netherlands fought back three times to force a penalty shootout.

“Having extra time and penalties makes it even more epic, it’s a great match for the fans to watch,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring for Spain but Memphis Depay equalised from the penalty spot.

Oyarzabal then grabbed Spain’s second goal before Ian Maatsen fired a powerful shot to force extra time.

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, who also missed the penalty, scored a brilliant goal to put Spain ahead but Xavi Simons converted another penalty to force a shootout.

“It’s really nice to wear this jersey and to be able to score the winning penalty,” Pedri told TVE, whose team faces France in the semi-finals.

“We are Spanish and we are not afraid of anyone,” said Pedri.

After Spain struggled in Rotterdam last week when they drew 2-2 in the first leg, De La Fuente made several changes.

Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo came on for Alvaro Morata and Pedri, while Dean Huijsen made his first start against his home country and impressed.

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool are facing a massive transfer window this summer even as the Premier League title moves closer to returning to Anfield.

The futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk – three key players out of contract this summer – are looming over Arne Slot’s debut campaign with Liverpool.

Apart from the three main pillars, European clubs are also targeting players in Liverpool’s starting lineup such as Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz.

As for the reserve players, among them goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Harvey Elliott and Joe Gomez are looking to find a place in the starting lineup.

With star players like Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota lacking in brilliance, Slot needs to find quality replacements to maintain the team’s momentum next season.

Despite being eliminated from the Champions League and losing in the League Cup final, Slot’s first season can be considered a success if Liverpool can maintain their position at the top of the league and win the English Premier League this season.

Salah, one of the players who would be difficult to replace if the Egyptian star chose to join Inter Milan or travel to Saudi Arabia.

With 27 goals and 17 assists, Salah has been involved in 63.7 percent of Liverpool’s Premier League goals this season.

Salah is also third on the list of top scorers in the club’s history.

Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid, leaving a huge gap at Liverpool’s right-back position with a record 62 Premier League assists in his position.

Also difficult to replace is captain Van Dijk, who is wanted by Real Madrid and Saudi Arabian clubs. He is one of the best central defenders in England this decade.

LEICESTER, England: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he is starting to see improvement in his team after they won 3-0 at Leicester City in the English Premier League (EPL) early this morning.

United arrive at the King Power Stadium having collected the fewest wins and points after 28 matches of any of the club’s campaigns in the EPL.

Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes, however, powered United to victory in the drizzle, securing a comfortable victory in a difficult campaign.

“I think their performances have improved and when you get performances and results, because results don’t necessarily come with performances, you feel better,” said Amorim.

“I started to see something different in the team, especially today. You could feel some players lacking energy but you felt the team could find a way to win the game when they were feeling a bit tired.

“It’s a good sign for this team.”

Goals for Danish striker Hojlund and Argentine winger Garnacho were much-welcomed before the match.

Hojlund had not scored in his last 22 matches in all competitions before his impressive first-half finish, with Garnacho having gone 24 games without a goal before his second-half strike.

“It’s really important to him (Hojlund),” Amorim said.

“He did the right thing, he helped the team, he won every ball and today he scored a very good goal, an important goal. He deserved it more than anyone else.

“He (Garnacho) is really happy but the most important thing is how he has improved his game. He is playing on both wings, not just on the left. He is coming back down, the little things he has done well.”

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Arne Slot considered his team’s failure to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League a surprise, but the defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain came after a fierce battle that had to be decided on penalties.

PSG beat Liverpool 4-1 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals, winning the second leg of the last 16 with a 1-0 scoreline thanks to a goal from Ousmane Dembele.

“It was definitely a shock. But if you have to go out, and go out the way we did against one of the best teams in Europe and put up a great fight, I think fans around the world hope this game continues because it’s amazing. And they, in the end, won,” Slot said.

PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved penalties from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, while the visitors converted all four of their penalties at Anfield.

Liverpool still comfortably lead the Premier League and will face Newcastle United in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.