Borussia Dortmund crush Schalke as Bundesliga season resumes

Borussia Dortmund didn't miss a beat in their first match back.

The Bundesliga resumed play on Saturday after a two-month hiatus, and while everything about the atmosphere and setting was unique, one thing looked very familiar: Erling Haaland running roughshod over the opposition.

The 19-year-old striker scored once and set up another as Dortmund returned to action with a dominant 4-0 win over Revierderby rivals Schalke inside an empty Westfalenstadion.

Haaland, who celebrated the game's opening goal with a socially distanced dance, got Dortmund off the mark in the 29th minute. A fierce Thorgan Hazard strike then sandwiched a pair of tallies from Raphael Guerreiro to push the result well beyond doubt, lifting Dortmund to within a point of league leaders Bayern Munich, who play Sunday.

Haaland's goal was his 10th in nine Bundesliga appearances. Along with teammates Julian Brandt and Hazard, the prolific Norwegian was one of the sharpest players on the pitch, showcasing his blistering speed on multiple occasions as Dortmund easily and often opened up the Schalke defense.

The match took place amid an eery backdrop, as Dortmund's typically raucous stadium - which holds just over 80,000 people - was empty as Germany continues to impose necessary restrictions on social gatherings to combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Substitutes were socially distanced and wearing masks on their respective benches. Players didn't shake hands or physically interact with teammates while celebrating goals, and, in an amusing twist, the Dortmund team continued its post-match tradition of applauding the home "fans" after the final whistle.

It's all part of the new normal in German football, which the rest of the world will be watching intently as various leagues determine whether a similar return is safe and feasible.