Sevilla beat Betis on return of top-flight football to Spain

Madrid: Top-flight football have returned in Spain with Sevilla enjoying a relatively comfortable 2-0 win at home over Real Betis in the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Although football returned in Spain on Wednesday night with Rayo Vallecano's 1-0 win over Albacete in the second division, the Seville derbyon Thursday night was the big test of how football in the "new normal" would be without fans in the stands and after a three-month break, reports Xinhua news agency.

Echoes were heard from the dugouts ringing around the stadium, which would typically be packed to the rafters for one of the most passionate games in Spain.

Although both sides played at a surprisingly high pace on a benevolently cool evening in Seville, only the home side's Lucas Ocampos was able to create a clear cut chance in the first half as he thrashed a shot against the post.

The second half saw Sevilla take the lead from the penalty spot after Betis defender Marc Bartra was penalised for a push on Sevilla forward Luuk de Jong following a corner in the 54th minute.