Vinicius Junior brace keeps Real Madrid alive in La Liga title race

Key facts

• Vinicius Junior scored twice (55', 66') to lead Real Madrid to a 2-0 victory.
• Jude Bellingham provided a backheel assist for the second goal.
• Espanyol have not won a match in 2026.
• Real Madrid kept their first La Liga clean sheet since February 8.
• Barcelona can clinch the title next weekend if they beat Real Madrid in El Clásico.
• Gonzalo García assisted Vinicius' first goal just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Lede: Real Madrid delay Barcelona's title party

Real Madrid kept their faint title hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Sunday evening, ensuring Barcelona were made to wait at least another week before confirming the La Liga crown. A brace from Vinicius Junior, his first goal arriving in the 55th minute and the second just 11 minutes later, proved enough to overcome a stubborn Espanyol side that has not won a match in 2026. The win was Madrid's first clean sheet in La Liga since February 8, a statistic that underscores their defensive struggles this season.

Espanyol's early resistance and a controversial moment

Despite the eventual scoreline, it was Espanyol who made the sharper start, creating the better chances in the opening stages. Roberto Fernández and Rubén Sánchez both went close, while Madrid struggled to establish any rhythm in possession. 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.

Second-half breakthrough and Vinicius' brilliance

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 García, and finished calmly into the bottom corner to open the scoring. 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.

Missed chances and defensive solidity

From that point, Madrid managed the game. Espanyol continued to push forward and registered a respectable number of attempts, but Andriy Lunin was rarely troubled in the latter stages. Late chances for Bellingham and the impressive young substitute Franco Mastantuono could have extended the margin, but Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic produced a couple of saves to keep the scoreline respectable. Lunin, who kept his first clean sheet of the season, made only three saves.

Tactical decisions and injury concerns

Álvaro Arbeloa's decision to start Brahim Díaz in place of the absent Kylian Mbappé—who enjoyed an impromptu vacation in Italy—left Madrid without a natural striker for much of the first half. The problem has occurred so many times this season that it is expected at this point. Arbeloa came to his senses in the 53rd minute and brought Gonzalo García onto the pitch; two minutes later, he assisted Vinicius' breakthrough. Ferland Mendy lasted just 14 minutes before being forced off with another injury, adding to Madrid's defensive woes.

What next: El Clásico with the title on the line

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. A loss would hand Barcelona the crown at the Santiago Bernabéu, a scenario that would be a bitter pill for Madrid. With fundamental issues still plaguing the team—including a lack of a consistent goalscorer and defensive frailties—the odds remain heavily stacked against them.

The bottom line

• Vinicius Junior's brace keeps Real Madrid mathematically alive in the title race.
• Espanyol have not won a match in 2026, extending their winless streak.
• Gonzalo García's impact off the bench highlights Madrid's need for a natural striker.
• Barcelona can clinch the La Liga title by beating Real Madrid in El Clásico next weekend.
• Real Madrid's first clean sheet since February 8 masks ongoing defensive issues.
• Ferland Mendy's early injury adds to Madrid's defensive concerns ahead of the crucial clash.