Vinicius brace delays Barcelona's title party as Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0

Key facts

• Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-0 on May 3, 2026, at RCDE Stadium.
• Vinicius Jr. scored both goals for Real Madrid.
• The match was La Liga Matchday 34 of the 2025-26 season.
• Barcelona cannot seal the title until at least next Sunday's Clásico.
• If Real Madrid had lost, Barcelona would have been crowned champions immediately.
• Espanyol's Javi Puado is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
• Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois has returned to training after a thigh injury.

Real Madrid staves off humiliation, keeps title race alive

Real Madrid avoided the ignominy of handing Barcelona the La Liga title on a silver platter by grinding out a 2-0 victory over Espanyol at RCDE Stadium on Sunday evening. A brace from Vinicius Jr. ensured that the reigning champions kept the title race alive, at least for another week. Had Real Madrid failed to win, Barcelona would have been officially crowned champions with four games to spare. Instead, the Blaugrana must wait until next Sunday's Clásico at Camp Nou, where they could seal the title with a victory over their eternal rivals — and potentially force Real Madrid to give them a guard of honour.

Vinicius Jr. delivers when it matters most

The Brazilian winger scored both goals in the second half to break Espanyol's resistance. His first came in the 53rd minute, a clinical finish after a swift counter-attack. The second arrived in the 73rd minute, a composed strike that sealed the points for Los Blancos. Vinicius was a constant threat throughout the match, exploiting space behind Espanyol's defence. His performance underscored his importance to a Real Madrid side that has struggled for consistency this season.

Barcelona's coronation delayed, but not denied

Barcelona's path to the title remains clear. They lead the table by a significant margin, and a win against Real Madrid next Sunday would clinch the championship. The Blaugrana have been in imperious form all season, and few expect them to slip up now. For Real Madrid, the victory was a matter of pride. Losing to Espanyol would have meant watching Barcelona celebrate at their expense. Instead, they have postponed the inevitable and can now focus on derailing their rivals' party at Camp Nou.

Injury concerns for both sides

Espanyol played without their top scorer Javi Puado, who is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury. His absence was keenly felt as the hosts struggled to create clear chances. Real Madrid, meanwhile, were without several key players. Thibaut Courtois has returned to training after a thigh injury but was not risked. Daniel Carvajal is expected back in late May 2026 after a leg injury, while Éder Militão is sidelined until late September 2026 with a thigh problem. Arda Güler is out for the season with a thigh injury.

What next for the title race?

All eyes now turn to next Sunday's Clásico at Camp Nou. A Barcelona win would seal the title and force Real Madrid to form a guard of honour for their historic rivals. A draw or defeat would keep the door slightly ajar, but with only three games left after that, Barcelona's advantage is overwhelming. For Real Madrid, the objective is clear: deny Barcelona the title at Camp Nou and salvage some pride from a disappointing season. The Clásico promises to be a charged affair, with both sides aware of the symbolic stakes.

The bottom line

• Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Espanyol, courtesy of a Vinicius Jr. brace, delays Barcelona's title coronation.
• Barcelona can clinch the La Liga title by beating Real Madrid in next Sunday's Clásico.
• Espanyol's Javi Puado is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
• Real Madrid's injury list includes Courtois (returned to training), Carvajal (late May), Militão (late September), and Güler (out for season).
• The Clásico at Camp Nou will determine whether Barcelona celebrate the title immediately or face further delay.