Sevilla 2-0 Real Betis: Lucas Ocampos and Fernando strike in second-half to secure victory for hosts in Seville derby as LaLiga returns after three-month coronavirus suspension
- Ocampos gave Sevilla a deserved lead from the penalty spot in the 56th minute
- His outrageous flick set up midfielder Fernando to head home six minutes later
- It was the first game in Spain’s top division since March 10 because of pandemic
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Sevilla claimed a 2-0 victory over city rivals Real Betis to strengthen their Champions League hopes as LaLiga returned to action amid the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday night.
Lucas Ocampos’ 56th-minute penalty broke Betis’ resistance before Fernando added a second six minutes later.
Strict social distancing measures were in place behind the closed doors of the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, though viewers at home might not immediately have realised as the broadcast was enhanced with a virtual crowd and fan noise.
Lucas Ocampos scored for the fifth successive LaLiga game to secure victory for Sevilla
Ocampos scored from the penalty spot after Marc Bartra fouled Luuk de Jong in the box
Things were certainly looking familiar on the pitch as Sevilla strengthened their grip on third place with a professional performance.
They had Betis on the back foot early on, with Ocampos striking the outside of the post after 10 minutes with a powerful shot after good work to create the angle.
Jules Kounde then headed narrowly wide from a corner before Luuk De Jong wasted some fine work from Munir El Haddadi with a tame header that went harmlessly wide.
Sevilla midfielder Fernando doubled their lead in the 62nd minute against Real Betis
Ocampos’ outrageous flick from a corner set up midfielder Fernando to head home
The second half started in the same vein, with Jesus Navas’ cutback creating a glorious chance which Joan Jordan somehow squandered as he mistimed his shot.
The pressure was building and told when Sevilla won a slightly soft penalty – Marc Bartra punished for an elbow in the back of De Jong – and Ocampos sent Joel Robles the wrong way before those social distancing rules were forgotten in the celebration.
With the deadlock broken, Sevilla doubled their lead six minutes later when Ocampos flicked on Jordan’s corner for Fernando to head home.
Betis improved markedly after the introduction of Joaquin off the bench, but rarely looked like getting back into the game with Sevilla in firm control.
Real Betis forward Nabil Fekir tangles with Sevilla midfielder Fernando during the first-half
The Seville derby would normally attract a 40,000-plus crowd to Sevilla’s ground
It was the first game in Spain’s top division since March 10 because of the coronavirus crisis