Dinamo Zagreb 1-3 Real Betis Player Ratings: Antony Rated 8.5/10 as Betis Run Riot in First-Half Blitz 3-1

The game, held at Stadion Maksimir, was a one-sided affair from the moment Betis decided to step on the gas.

An unfortunate own goal from Sergi Domínguez gave Betis the lead they thoroughly deserved. This moment seemed to shatter Dinamo's confidence completely. Just a few minutes later Ex-Atleti player Rodrigo Riquelme doubled the advantage with a cool finish after a brilliant through ball. The rout was completed by Antony, who unleashed a spectacular strike from distance.

The second half was a mere formality. Real Betis managed the match perfectly, conserving energy and seeing out a dominant 3-1 victory. For Dinamo Zagreb, it was an evening to forget, a harsh lesson in European football against a superior side. They will have a lot to reflect on after being so comprehensively outplayed on their own turf.

Here are Dinamo Zagreb Vs Real Betis Player Ratings

Real Betis Player Ratings vs Dinamo Zagreb

Here are Real Betis Player Ratings vs Dinamo Zagreb

Goalkeeper

Álvaro Valles - 6.5: Had one of the quietest nights of his career. He was largely a spectator as his team ran riot at the other end. His distribution was nearly perfect, with 95% pass accuracy. He handled the few things that came his way with zero fuss. It’s hard to rate a keeper who had so little to do, but he did his job cleanly.

Defenders

Diego Llorente - 7.5: A captain's performance from the centre-back. He was a rock at the back, winning most of his duels and making crucial clearances. His passing from deep was exceptional, starting many of Betis's attacks. We noticed his leadership organizing the backline, ensuring Dinamo never got a sniff of a comeback. A very commanding display.

Natan - 7.0: A really solid and composed partner to Llorente. He was tidy in possession and didn't seem flustered at any point. He won his aerial battles and made a couple of important interceptions. It was a mature performance from the defender, who looked comfortable throughout the 82 minutes he was on the pitch.

Ángel Ortiz - 7.0: Very active down the right flank, both defensively and offensively. He was a constant outlet, showing great energy to get up and down the pitch. What stood out to us was his confidence on the ball, completing all three of his dribble attempts. He was solid defensively, making some key recoveries and interceptions.

Valentín Gómez - 6.0: A mixed bag for the defender. He was a bit overzealous at times, leading to a yellow card in the first half for a clumsy foul. His passing was perfect, but he didn't look as assured as his defensive colleagues. Pellegrini probably subbed him to avoid a potential second yellow, but he contributed to a clean sheet.

Midfielders

Sergi Altimira - 7.5: Controlled the tempo of the game from the middle of the park. His passing was crisp and intelligent, keeping Betis ticking over. He wasn't just a metronome though; he tested the keeper with two good shots from distance. We were impressed by his all-around game, contributing defensively with tackles and interceptions. A very classy performance.

Antony - 8.5: Our man of the match. He was simply electric. His goal from outside the box was the cherry on top of a fantastic individual performance. He created three chances for his teammates and was a constant menace with his dribbling. From our perspective, he played with a swagger and confidence that Dinamo just couldn't handle. A truly brilliant display.

Abde Ezzalzouli - 8.0: A livewire on the left flank. He was desperately unlucky not to score, hitting the woodwork and forcing a good save. His direct running and creativity were a huge problem for the opposition defense. He created three chances and was a constant source of danger. It felt like every time he got the ball, something was about to happen.

Rodrigo Riquelme - 8.0: Another standout performer in the Betis attack. He took his goal with fantastic composure, slotting it into the bottom corner. Beyond the goal, he created two chances and looked incredibly sharp. His link-up play with the other forwards was a joy to watch. He was a key part of that devastating first-half performance.

Nelson Deossa - 6.5: Full of energy and combativeness in midfield. He won a high number of his duels and drew several fouls. However, his performance was marred by a booking for a needless foul. He was a bit frantic at times, but his work rate was undeniable. He contributed well before being substituted in the second half.

Forwards

Cédric Bakambu - 7.5: Didn't get on the scoresheet, but his contribution was immense. He provided a sublime assist for Riquelme's goal with a perfectly weighted through ball. He used his physicality to bully the Dinamo defenders and create space for others. His hold-up play was excellent, bringing the talented midfielders into the game. A selfless and effective performance.

Substitutes

Aitor Ruibal - 6.0: Came on for Deossa and helped see the game out with fresh legs in midfield.

Giovani Lo Celso - 6.5: Injected some extra quality in the final stages, showing some nice touches and almost setting up a goal.

Chimy Ávila - N/A: Came on late with the game already won.

Pablo García - N/A: Replaced the brilliant Antony for the final stretch.

Manager

M. Pellegrini - 8.5: The veteran manager got his tactics absolutely spot on. He set his team up to attack from the first whistle, and they blew Dinamo Zagreb away. His decision to press high and overload the final third paid off spectacularly. The game management in the second half was also perfect, making smart substitutions to rest key players. A tactical masterclass.

Dinamo Zagreb Player Ratings vs Real Betis

Here are Dinamo Zagreb Player Ratings vs Real Betis

Goalkeeper

Ivan Filipovic - 5.0: A truly difficult night for the keeper. He was left horribly exposed by his defense. He made a couple of decent saves in the first half, but his error led to a goal, which is a killer for any goalkeeper's confidence. Conceding three goals at home is never good, and he looked shell-shocked by the end of the first half. A night he'll want to forget quickly.

Defenders

Bruno Goda - 4.5: Was given a torrid time by Antony and the rest of the Betis attack. He was dribbled past three times and looked off the pace throughout. His booking was a result of sheer frustration. He offered very little going forward and was a defensive liability. From our perspective, he was one of the weakest links in a very poor backline.

Scott McKenna - 5.5: The Scottish international struggled to cope with the movement and speed of the Betis forwards. He was part of a defense that was completely overwhelmed in the first half. He made a few clearances but looked shaky in possession and was caught out of position on a couple of occasions. Not a performance he will be proud of.

Sergi Domínguez - 4.0: A disastrous evening for the young defender. His unfortunate own goal opened the floodgates and set the tone for a miserable night. After that moment, his confidence seemed to be completely gone. He was responsible for an own goal and was part of a defense that conceded three goals. Easily the worst performer on the pitch.

Noa Mikić - 5.0: The defender had a very tough 45 minutes before being hooked at halftime. He struggled to contain Abde Ezzalzouli and was constantly on the back foot. While he won all of his duels according to the stats, the eye test told a different story. The halftime substitution said it all, really.

Midfielders

Marko Soldo - 6.0: One of the few Dinamo players who can hold their head up. He fought tirelessly in midfield, winning an impressive nine duels. He put in a real shift, but he was fighting a losing battle against a superior Betis midfield. His effort was commendable, but the quality simply wasn't there on the night.

Josip Misic - 5.5: The captain tried his best to rally his troops, but it was an impossible task. He was overrun in the midfield battle and struggled to get a foothold in the game. He made some good ball recoveries but also lost possession cheaply. His substitution after 63 minutes was a sign that his influence had waned.

Dejan Ljubicic - 5.5: Like his midfield partners, he worked hard but was ultimately outclassed. He showed some flashes of quality on the ball but lost it far too often. He battled hard, winning five of his six duels, but he couldn't provide the defensive screen his backline desperately needed. An industrious but ineffective performance.

Forwards

Dion Beljo - 4.5: Completely anonymous. He was isolated up front and had very few touches of the ball. He was caught offside twice and offered no threat whatsoever. It was no surprise to see him substituted at halftime. He simply wasn't at the races and his team needed much more from their striker.

Arbër Hoxha - 4.5: Another attacker who was completely ineffective. He was dispossessed three times and failed to make any impact on the game. Like Beljo, he was rightly withdrawn at halftime. He was a passenger for the 45 minutes he was on the pitch, offering nothing in attack.

Fran Topic - 5.5: Showed a bit more fight than his fellow attackers. He tried to make things happen and drew a couple of fouls. However, he was often isolated and struggled to get into dangerous positions. He had one blocked shot but never really looked like scoring. A frustrating night for the young forward.

Substitutes

Sandro Kulenovic - 5.5: Brought on at halftime but couldn't change the course of the game.

Cardoso Varela - 6.0: Looked a little more lively than the man he replaced, getting a shot blocked.

Niko Galesic - 5.5: Slotted into a defense that was under far less pressure in the second half.

Miha Zajc - N/A: Came on when the game was already over as a contest.

Gabriel Vidovic - N/A: A late cameo with little time to make an impact.

Manager

M. Kovačević - 4.0: A nightmare evening for the Dinamo manager. His team was tactically outclassed from the start. The decision to make three substitutions at halftime was a clear admission that he got his initial setup completely wrong. By then, the damage was already done. He watched his side get torn apart on home soil, and he seemed to have no answers.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Antony