Vinícius Júnior brace keeps Barcelona waiting as Real Madrid win 2-0 at Espanyol

Key facts

• Vinícius Júnior scored in the 55th and 66th minutes to secure a 2-0 win for Real Madrid.
• Barcelona's lead remains 11 points with four rounds left after they beat Osasuna 2-1 on Saturday.
• Espanyol have not won in 17 consecutive league games this year, with 10 losses.
• Omar El Hilali's red card was downgraded to yellow after video review.
• Real Madrid kept their first La Liga clean sheet since February 8.
• Jude Bellingham provided a back-heel assist for Vinícius's second goal.
• Substitute Gonzalo García assisted Vinícius's opener two minutes after coming on.
• Espanyol sit 13th, five points above the relegation zone.

Real Madrid delay Barcelona's title coronation with hard-fought win

Vinícius Júnior scored twice in the second half as Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 on Sunday, preventing Barcelona from clinching the La Liga title this weekend. The result keeps the Catalan club waiting at least another week, with the title now potentially sealed in next Sunday's Clásico at Camp Nou. Barcelona had opened a 14-point gap after their 2-1 victory over Osasuna on Saturday, meaning any result other than a Madrid win would have handed them the league crown. Instead, Madrid's victory cut the lead to 11 points with four matches remaining.

Vinícius breaks deadlock after goalless first half

Espanyol started the brighter side, with Roberto Fernández and Rubén Sánchez both testing the Madrid defense. The visitors struggled to find rhythm in possession, and Vinícius struck the post midway through the half. A controversial moment saw Espanyol defender Omar El Hilali initially shown a straight red card for a foul on Vinícius, but the decision was downgraded to yellow after video review. Real Madrid introduced Gonzalo García in the 53rd minute, and the substitution paid immediate dividends. Two minutes later, Vinícius drove infield, combined with García, and finished calmly into the bottom corner to open the scoring in the 55th minute.

Bellingham's back-heel sets up Vinícius's second

The Brazilian doubled the lead in the 66th minute after a clever back-heel from Jude Bellingham released him inside the box. Vinícius struck first-time into the top corner, completing his brace with a moment of quality that effectively settled the contest. Madrid managed the game thereafter, with Espanyol pushing forward but rarely troubling goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Late chances for Bellingham and substitute Franco Mastantuono could have extended the margin, but Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic made saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

Madrid's striker dilemma persists despite victory

Kylian Mbappé was absent, enjoying a vacation in Italy, and Brahim Díaz started up front alongside Vinícius. However, Madrid again lacked a natural striker, with crosses and link-up play often going to waste. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa's reluctance to start Gonzalo García, the team's natural No. 9, has been a recurring issue. García's introduction proved decisive, assisting the opening goal. The problem has persisted all season, even when Mbappé is on the pitch, and has been a factor in Madrid's inability to challenge for silverware.

Espanyol's winless run extends to 17 matches

Espanyol have now gone 17 consecutive league games without a victory in 2026, suffering 10 losses in that span. They sit 13th in the table, five points above the relegation zone. The team showed resilience in the first half but lacked quality in the final third, failing to convert chances. Sunday's result was Espanyol's second consecutive defeat, and they remain winless at home since the start of the year.

Clásico next Sunday to decide title fate

Barcelona will have the opportunity to clinch their 29th league title when they host Real Madrid at Camp Nou next Sunday. A win for Barcelona would seal the championship, while Madrid must win to keep their faint hopes alive. "We have a big game against a great rival and they have been playing well," Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa said. "It's a special game for the fans, for us. We are going to rest and prepare well for it."

Madrid's defensive improvement offers hope

Real Madrid kept their first La Liga clean sheet since February 8, with goalkeeper Andriy Lunin making three saves. The defense, led by Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen, held Espanyol's Roberto Fernández to zero shots on target. Huijsen, in particular, has found his groove after a period of adjustment. While Madrid's title chances remain slim, the defensive solidity and Vinícius's form provide a foundation for next week's Clásico. However, fundamental issues in attack and squad management have plagued the team all season.

The bottom line

• Vinícius Júnior's brace keeps Real Madrid mathematically alive in the title race, with Barcelona's lead at 11 points.
• Espanyol's winless streak extends to 17 matches, leaving them five points above relegation.
• Gonzalo García's impact off the bench highlights Madrid's ongoing striker problem.
• Barcelona can clinch the La Liga title with a win in next Sunday's Clásico at Camp Nou.
• Real Madrid's first clean sheet since February 8 shows defensive improvement but not enough to overcome systemic issues.