Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 to delay Barcelona's La Liga title coronation

Key facts

• Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-0 on matchday 34 of the 2025-26 La Liga season.
• The match took place on May 3, 2026, at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.
• Jude Bellingham had a left-footed shot saved by Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.
• Franco Mastantuono assisted Bellingham's chance.
• Real Madrid's win prevents Barcelona from being crowned champions immediately.
• Barcelona could seal the title in El Clásico next Sunday.
• If Real Madrid had lost, Barcelona would have been officially crowned champions.
• Real Madrid wore their all-black away kit for the fixture.

A victory that buys time

Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-0 at RCDE Stadium on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in a match that carried enormous stakes for the La Liga title race. The win ensures that Barcelona must wait at least another week to secure the championship, delaying what many consider an inevitable coronation. Los Blancos entered the fixture knowing that a defeat would hand the title to their eternal rivals immediately. Instead, they delivered a composed performance, keeping Barcelona's celebrations on hold.

Match action and key moments

The match kicked off with Real Madrid winning a free kick within seconds after a hand on the face of Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder later had a left-footed shot from the centre of the box saved by Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, assisted by Franco Mastantuono. Espanyol had chances of their own: Carlos Romero fired a left-footed shot from outside the box high and wide to the left, assisted by Pere Milla following a corner. The home side also won several free kicks, with Jofre Carreras, Urko González de Zárate, and Charles Pickel drawing fouls from Real Madrid players.

The stakes for Barcelona and El Clásico

Barcelona now have the opportunity to seal the La Liga title in next Sunday's El Clásico at Camp Nou. If they beat Real Madrid, they will be officially crowned champions, potentially forcing their rivals to give them a guard of honour. Real Madrid's victory ensures that the title race remains alive for at least another week, but the math is clear: Barcelona hold a commanding lead and need only a draw or a win in the upcoming derby to clinch the trophy.

Real Madrid's lineup and tactical setup

Real Madrid fielded a strong starting XI, with Kylian Mbappé leading the attack. The team wore their all-black away kit and took the kick-off to start the match. Eduardo Camavinga conceded a corner to Espanyol late in the game, while César Palacios committed a foul that gave Espanyol a free kick in the defensive half. The visitors managed the game effectively, holding onto their 2-0 lead through the five minutes of added time announced by the fourth official.

What comes next for both sides

Real Madrid will now prepare for the crucial El Clásico, where they must avoid defeat to keep their slim title hopes alive. A loss would not only hand Barcelona the championship but also force Real Madrid to form a guard of honour for their rivals. Espanyol, meanwhile, remain in the lower half of the table and will look to regroup after a defeat that could have been heavier had Bellingham's shot found the net. The season is winding down, and both teams have clear objectives: Barcelona want to seal the title, Real Madrid want to delay it, and Espanyol want to finish as high as possible.

The bottom line

• Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Espanyol on May 3, 2026, prevents Barcelona from clinching the La Liga title immediately.
• Barcelona can now win the championship by beating Real Madrid in next Sunday's El Clásico.
• Jude Bellingham and Franco Mastantuono were involved in a key attacking move for Real Madrid.
• Espanyol had several set-piece opportunities but failed to convert.
• The result keeps Real Madrid's faint title hopes alive for at least one more week.
• A Barcelona victory in El Clásico would force Real Madrid to give a guard of honour.