Lucas Ocampos is the first Sevilla player to score in five consecutive La Liga appearances since Alvaro Negredo in September 2011
Sevilla beat Real Betis in the Seville derby as La Liga returned after a three-month gap – with some teething problems off the pitch.
Groups of fans ignored guidance as they gathered outside the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium before the game, and some of the TV presentation left plenty to be desired.
But in Lucas Ocampos the hosts had the key man to win the first match played in Spain since the coronavirus pandemic halted proceedings on 10 March.
La Liga is the second of Europe’s big five leagues to resume, with the Premier League following suit next week.
Plenty of fans of both sides gathered outside before the match
After a minute’s silence in memory of those who have died during the pandemic, La Liga returned with some new additions.
As previously heard in Germany, there was artificial crowd noise. But unlike in Germany, the mix was way too low and almost inaudible for much of the game.
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The vast, empty stands were painted in ‘virtual support’ in what was sold beforehand as images of fans wearing club colours.
The actual effect was extremely low key though, looking more like a collage of coloured dots which were only visible on the one wide camera shot, with the ‘crowd’ disappearing whenever the director changed angle, and sometimes hovering in mid-air when a replay appeared.
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At times, such as during some pre-arranged drinks breaks, the vacant stands displayed the message of ‘Safe sport, safe tourism – Spain welcomes you’.
After three months away fans were keen to see the game from wherever they could
When tourists return to Seville remains to be seen, but Champions League football may well soon – the home side are now within six points of Real Madrid.
Ocampos was the game’s key player throughout, rattling the crossbar from a narrow angle in the first half before breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot.
He then conjured an ingenious backheeled flick from a corner to find Fernando for the game-sealing second goal, Sevilla celebrating the three points just after midnight local time.
Leaders Barcelona are in action for the first time on Saturday, while Real Madrid play on Sunday.
- Line-ups
- Match Stats
- Live Text
Line-ups
Sevilla
- 1Vaclik
- 16Navas
- 20Santos Silva
- 12Koundรฉ
- 23ReguilรณnSubstituted forVรกzquezat 80'minutes
- 24Jordรกn
- 25Reges
- 21TorresSubstituted forEscuderoat 80'minutes
- 11El HaddadiSubstituted forFernรกndez Saezat 74'minutes
- 19de JongSubstituted forEn-Nesyriat 71'minutes
- 5OcamposSubstituted forBanegaat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Gรณmez
- 7Rony Lopes
- 8Nolito
- 10Banega
- 13Bono
- 14Fernรกndez Saez
- 15En-Nesyri
- 18Escudero
- 22Vรกzquez
- 26Mena
- 36Rodrรญguez
- 43Sanchez
Real Betis
- 1Robles
- 22Leite de Souza JuniorBooked at 49mins
- 5BartraBooked at 54mins
- 12da Silva JรบniorSubstituted forFeddalat 45'minutes
- 15Moreno LoperaSubstituted forPedrazaat 78'minutes
- 10Canales
- 21Rodrรญguez
- 24AleรฑรกSubstituted forSรกnchez Rodrรญguezat 69'minutes
- 8Fekir
- 9IglesiasSubstituted forMorรณnat 69'minutes
- 11TelloSubstituted forLainezat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Feddal
- 6Pedraza
- 13Martรญn Fernรกndez
- 14William Carvalho
- 16Morรณn
- 17Sรกnchez Rodrรญguez
- 18Guardado
- 19Barragรกn
- 20Lainez
- 23Mandi
- 28Sรกnchez
- 32Gonzรกlez
Referee:Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
Match Stats
Home TeamSevillaAway TeamReal BetisPossessionHome46%Away54%ShotsHome13Away12Shots on TargetHome5Away1CornersHome11Away2FoulsHome13Away16
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Sevilla 2, Real Betis 0.
