INTERNATIONAL DESK — BARCELONA — Spanish second-tier side Tenerife returned to competitive action on Sunday with a series of poignant tributes dedicated to late striker Jesus De Miguel, marking the club's first match since the player's tragic passing earlier in the month.
The 28-year-old forward died on November 3, just a day after sustaining a fatal collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a home league fixture. Following the postponement of their previous weekend fixture against Granada, Tenerife hosted Ceuta at the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium, where emotional commemorations preceded and accompanied the encounter.
A lengthy standing ovation and a minute of silence bookended the pre-match ceremonies, while supporters unfurled a prominent banner reading "Jesus De Miguel, 9, eternally blue and white." Play was temporarily halted in the ninth minute to allow players and fans to participate in a coordinated round of applause alongside a stadium video tribute, mirroring nationwide gestures observed across Spain's top two tiers.
The emotional atmosphere culminated on the pitch in the 40th minute when Tenerife forward Nacho Gil broke the deadlock. Gil celebrated his opening goal by lifting De Miguel's jersey toward the stands and revealing an undershirt message reading "Demi, always in our hearts," honoring his late teammate as the club continues to navigate its profound loss.