Vinicius brace keeps Real Madrid alive in La Liga title race as Espanyol beaten 2-0

Key facts

• Vinicius Junior scored twice (55', 66') to give Real Madrid a 2-0 win over Espanyol.
• The victory denied Barcelona the chance to clinch the La Liga title on matchday 34.
• Real Madrid kept their first clean sheet since February 8, with Andriy Lunin making three saves.
• Espanyol have not won a match in 2026 and remain in the relegation zone.
• Substitute Gonzalo Garcia assisted Vinicius's opener just two minutes after coming on.
• Jude Bellingham provided a backheel assist for Vinicius's second goal.
• Barcelona can seal the title with a win or draw in El Clásico next Sunday.

A second-half surge keeps Madrid's faint hopes alive

Real Madrid kept their faint title hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Sunday, ensuring Barcelona were made to wait a little longer before confirming the La Liga crown. The victory, secured by a Vinicius Junior brace in the second half, was Madrid's first clean sheet since February 8, a drought that had exposed defensive frailties throughout the spring. Despite the eventual scoreline, it was Espanyol who made the sharper start, creating the better chances in the opening stages. Roberto Fernandez and Ruben Sanchez both went close, while Madrid struggled to establish any rhythm in possession. The visitors gradually grew into the game, with Vinicius Junior the main outlet, striking the post midway through the half and repeatedly testing Espanyol's defensive line.

Controversy and a turning point before the break

A briefly chaotic moment saw Omar El Hilali initially sent off for a challenge on Vinicius, only for the decision to be downgraded to a yellow card after review. That proved a turning point of sorts, as Espanyol retained their shape and held Madrid at bay until the break. The incident highlighted the fine margins that have defined Madrid's season, where discipline and decision-making have often been questioned. Álvaro Arbeloa's men made the trip to Catalonia looking to get back to winning ways after a late collapse against Real Betis last time out. Yet it was Espanyol, who have not won a match in 2026, that were the hungrier side in the opening 45 minutes. The home side's inability to convert chances would prove costly.

Vinicius and substitute Gonzalo Garcia break the deadlock

The game shifted early in the second half. Madrid introduced fresh legs in attack, and the breakthrough arrived on 55 minutes. Vinicius drove infield on a surging run, combined neatly with substitute Gonzalo Garcia, and finished calmly into the bottom corner to open the scoring. Garcia, a natural No. 9 who had been overlooked for the starting XI, made an immediate impact after entering the pitch in the 53rd minute. The second goal on 66 minutes effectively settled the contest. A clever back-heel from Jude Bellingham released Vinicius inside the box, and the forward struck first-time into the top corner to complete his brace with a moment of real quality. From that point, Madrid managed the game, with Espanyol unable to mount a serious comeback.

Defensive solidity and individual performances

Andriy Lunin, who finally kept his first clean sheet of the season, was rarely troubled in the latter stages, making only three saves. The Ukrainian goalkeeper will breathe a sigh of relief after a campaign marked by inconsistency. Trent Alexander-Arnold, deployed at right-back, had his fingerprints all over the game, delivering dangerous crosses that went unfinished by his teammates. Antonio Rüdiger was a brick wall at the back, making all the right moves to ensure he gets a contract extension. Dean Huijsen helped hold Roberto Fernández to zero shots on target, finally looking to have found his groove defending. The defensive improvement was a positive sign for a team that has conceded 14 goals in their previous six league matches.

Espanyol's struggles and injury woes continue

Espanyol, who have not won a match in 2026, remain in the relegation zone after this defeat. Their finishing lacked any real quality, with Roberto Fernandez and Ruben Sanchez unable to convert early chances. The home side registered a respectable number of attempts, but Lunin was rarely troubled. Javi Puado is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury, and other key players like Thibaut Courtois, Daniel Carvajal, Éder Militao, and Arda Güler are sidelined with various injuries. The club's inability to find the net has been a recurring theme, and their survival hopes are fading with each passing week. The defeat leaves them rooted in the bottom three, with only a handful of games remaining to salvage their top-flight status.

El Clásico now a title decider for Barcelona

The three points were enough to deny Barcelona the La Liga title this weekend, but Real Madrid will need a win in El Clásico next Sunday to once again delay the inevitable. Barcelona can seal the title with a victory or a draw at the Santiago Bernabéu, a scenario that would crown them champions in their rivals' backyard. Real Madrid's performance, while improved, still exposed fundamental issues. The absence of Kylian Mbappé, who enjoyed an impromptu vacation in Italy, left Brahim Díaz to lead the line alongside Vinicius. The lack of a natural striker was evident until Gonzalo Garcia's introduction. Arbeloa's continued refusal to start Garcia had been a point of frustration, and the assistant's impact off the bench only underscored the manager's tactical missteps.

A season of what-ifs for Los Blancos

Real Madrid's title hopes remain mathematically alive, but the team's inconsistent form and tactical issues have left them reliant on Barcelona slipping up. The victory over Espanyol was a step in the right direction, but it also highlighted the problems that have plagued the season: a lack of a reliable striker, defensive lapses, and questionable lineup decisions. As the season enters its final stretch, Madrid must win every game and hope Barcelona falter. The El Clásico next week will be the ultimate test, and a loss would end their title challenge for good. For now, the win over Espanyol provides a glimmer of hope, but the underlying issues remain unresolved.

The bottom line

• Vinicius Junior's brace kept Real Madrid's title hopes alive, but they must win El Clásico to stay in contention.
• Espanyol's winless run in 2026 continues, leaving them deep in relegation trouble.
• Gonzalo Garcia's immediate impact off the bench highlights Madrid's ongoing striker dilemma.
• Andriy Lunin kept his first clean sheet of the season, a rare bright spot in a leaky defense.
• Barcelona can clinch the La Liga title with a win or draw against Real Madrid next Sunday.
• Injuries to key players have hampered Espanyol's survival bid, with Javi Puado out for the season.