Vinicius brace keeps Barcelona waiting as Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0

Key facts

• Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-0 at RCDE Stadium on May 3, 2026.
• Vinicius Junior scored both goals for Real Madrid.
• The win keeps Barcelona from clinching the La Liga title this matchday.
• Barcelona can seal the title by beating Real Madrid in El Clasico on May 10, 2026.
• Espanyol played without injured captain Javi Puado (cruciate ligament, out for season).
• Real Madrid were missing Thibaut Courtois, Daniel Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Arda Guler due to injuries.
• Real Madrid wore their all-black away kit for the match.

Real Madrid delay the inevitable with a vital win

Real Madrid kept their slim title hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol at RCDE Stadium, ensuring that Barcelona must wait at least another week to be crowned La Liga champions. The result, secured by a brace from Vinicius Junior, means the title race could reach its climax in next Sunday's El Clasico, when Barcelona travel to face Real Madrid at Camp Nou. If Real Madrid had failed to win, Barcelona would have been confirmed as champions immediately. Instead, Los Blancos' victory forces the issue to the biggest fixture in Spanish football, where a Barcelona win would give them the title and a guard of honour from their eternal rivals.

Vinicius Junior delivers when it matters most

The Brazilian winger scored twice to give Real Madrid a crucial three points. His first goal came early in the first half, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Espanyol. The second arrived after the interval, effectively sealing the win and extinguishing any hopes of a home comeback. Vinicius was a constant threat throughout the match, using his pace and dribbling to trouble the Espanyol defence. His performance underscored his importance to a Real Madrid side that has struggled for consistency this season, particularly in away fixtures.

Espanyol's resistance broken despite injury woes

Espanyol entered the match already assured of their La Liga survival, but they showed little of the fight that had kept them up. The home side created few clear chances and were largely pinned back by Real Madrid's possession. They were without captain Javi Puado, who is out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury. Other key absences included midfielder Franco Mastantuono and forward Gonzalo García, who were substituted early in the second half. The team's lack of attacking threat was evident as they managed only a handful of shots on target.

Real Madrid's injury list continues to grow

Real Madrid were also depleted, missing several first-team players due to injury. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is back in training after a thigh problem but was not risked. Daniel Carvajal is expected to return in late May from a leg injury, while Eder Militao is out until late September with a thigh issue. Arda Guler is out for the season with a thigh injury. Despite these absences, Real Madrid's depth proved sufficient against a mid-table Espanyol side. The return of Eduardo Camavinga from injury, who came on as a substitute in the 84th minute, provided a boost in midfield.

El Clasico now a potential title decider

The La Liga title race now hinges on the outcome of next Sunday's El Clasico at Camp Nou. Barcelona currently lead the standings and need only a draw to secure the championship, but a defeat would keep Real Madrid's faint hopes alive with two matches remaining. Barcelona have not won the league since 2022-23, and a victory over their arch-rivals would be a particularly sweet way to end the drought. For Real Madrid, the prospect of giving their opponents a guard of honour at Camp Nou is a powerful motivator to avoid defeat.

What comes next for both sides

Real Madrid will now prepare for the biggest match of their season, knowing that anything less than a win would end their title challenge. They will need to improve on their performance against Espanyol, where they were efficient but not dominant. Espanyol, meanwhile, can finish the season without pressure, having already secured their top-flight status. They will look to end the campaign on a positive note in their remaining fixtures, but their focus will already be on strengthening the squad for next season.

The bottom line

• Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Espanyol keeps Barcelona from clinching the La Liga title this matchday.
• Vinicius Junior scored both goals, taking his season tally to 20 league goals.
• Barcelona can win the title by beating Real Madrid in El Clasico on May 10, 2026.
• Espanyol were without injured captain Javi Puado and several other key players.
• Real Madrid's injury list includes Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, and Guler, but Camavinga returned from injury.
• The title race will be decided in the next two matchdays, with Barcelona needing only a draw against Real Madrid.