La Liga is Back!

Sevilla Fans outside the stadium

Spain's top-flight becomes the second major European league to resume after the Bundesliga ahead of the return of the Premier League next week.

Spain's La Liga resumed on Thursday evening with 'El Gran Derbi' as Sevilla beat Real Betis 2-0 in front of an empty Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

After an uneventful first half Luis Ocampos, who was by far the best player on the pitch, gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot on 56 minutes.

And the Argentinean winger was involved in the second just six minutes later as his lovely flick found Fernando to double the lead.

Sevilla celebrates their lead

The result sees Sevilla move to within six points of second place Real Madrid having played a game more, while Betis remain 12th.

La Liga had been suspended since March 10 due to the coronavirus crisis, but the Spanish government recently decided the conditions were safe enough for football to return after the country enforced one of the strictest lockdowns in the world.  

Despite Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui urging supporters to stay away from the stadium, a number of large groups gathered to cheer their team on from afar.

The derby is normally one of the noisiest and most passionate in La Liga, and there was a surreal feel when the teams emerged to Sevilla's famous anthem without fans joining in.

A minute's silence was held before kick-off in memory of those who have lost their lives from coronavirus, with over 27,000 deaths recorded in the country.