Match ends, Sevilla 2, Real Betis 0.
SevillaSevilla2Real BetisReal Betis0
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.
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.
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.
At times, such as during some pre-arranged drinks breaks, the vacant stands displayed the message of 'Safe sport, safe tourism - Spain welcomes you'.
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
Sevilla
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Vaclik
- 16Navas
- 20Santos Silva
- 12Koundé
- 23ReguilónSubstituted forVázquezat 80'minutes
- 24Jordán
- 25Reges
- 21TorresSubstituted forEscuderoat 80'minutes
- 11El HaddadiSubstituted forFernández Saezat 74'minutes
- 19de JongSubstituted forEn-Nesyriat 71'minutes
- 5OcamposSubstituted forBanegaat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Gómez
- 7Rony Lopes
- 8Nolito
- 10Banega
- 13Bono
- 14Fernández Saez
- 15En-Nesyri
- 18Escudero
- 22Vázquez
- 26Mena
- 36Rodríguez
- 43Sanchez
Real Betis
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Robles
- 22Emerson RoyalBooked at 49mins
- 5BartraBooked at 54mins
- 12da Silva JúniorSubstituted forFeddalat 45'minutes
- 15Moreno LoperaSubstituted forPedrazaat 78'minutes
- 10Canales
- 21Rodríguez
- 24AleñáSubstituted forSánchez Rodríguezat 69'minutes
- 8Fekir
- 9IglesiasSubstituted forMorónat 69'minutes
- 11TelloSubstituted forLainezat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Feddal
- 6Pedraza
- 13Martín Fernández
- 14William Carvalho
- 16Morón
- 17Sánchez Rodríguez
- 18Guardado
- 19Barragán
- 20Lainez
- 23Mandi
- 28Sánchez
- 32González
- Referee:
- Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz
Match Stats
Home TeamSevillaAway TeamReal Betis
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away1
- Corners
- Home11
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sevilla 2, Real Betis 0.
Post update
Foul by Diego Lainez (Real Betis).
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Sergio Escudero (Sevilla) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Jules Koundé (Sevilla) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Sergio Escudero with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Sevilla. Conceded by Alfonso Pedraza.
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Attempt blocked. Suso (Sevilla) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jesús Navas.
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Attempt missed. Joaquín (Real Betis) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high following a corner.
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Corner, Real Betis. Conceded by Jesús Navas.
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Offside, Real Betis. Joel Robles tries a through ball, but Nabil Fekir is caught offside.
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Foul by Diego Lainez (Real Betis).
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Franco Vázquez (Sevilla) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Sergio Canales (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Joan Jordán (Sevilla).
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Attempt blocked. Joaquín (Real Betis) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nabil Fekir.
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Attempt blocked. Guido Rodríguez (Real Betis) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Alfonso Pedraza (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla).
Post update
Emerson (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Franco Vázquez (Sevilla).
