Vini Jr. double delays Barcelona title as Real Madrid beats Espanyol 2-0

Key facts

• Real Madrid won 2-0 at Espanyol in the 34th round of LaLiga EA Sports 25/26.
• Vinícius Júnior scored both goals, in the 55th and 66th minutes.
• Gonzalo García assisted the first goal; Jude Bellingham set up the second.
• Vinícius now has 14 league goals this season and 126 for Real Madrid in 372 matches.
• Espanyol had 17 shots to Real Madrid's 15, but Real Madrid had 66% possession.
• Expected goals: Real Madrid 1.66, Espanyol 1.26.
• Barcelona can seal the La Liga title with a win in El Clásico next Sunday.

Real Madrid delays Barcelona's title party with professional win at Espanyol

Real Madrid kept Barcelona waiting for the La Liga title after a composed 2-0 victory over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Sunday. The win, secured by a Vinícius Júnior brace, means Barcelona must now wait at least another week to clinch the championship — potentially in next Sunday's El Clásico. The result was not a foregone conclusion. Espanyol matched Real Madrid for long stretches, finishing the match with more total shots (17 to 15) and forcing the visitors to defend deep at times. Yet Real Madrid's superior efficiency in front of goal and control of possession proved decisive.

Vinícius Júnior delivers decisive double after hour mark

The breakthrough came in the 55th minute, when Gonzalo García threaded a pass to Vinícius Júnior, who slotted home his 14th league goal of the campaign. Eleven minutes later, Jude Bellingham turned provider, setting up the Brazilian for his second finish of the night — and his 15th in La Liga this season. Vinícius now has 126 goals for Real Madrid in 372 appearances across all competitions. His two strikes lifted Real Madrid's expected goals figure to 1.66, compared with Espanyol's 1.26, reflecting the clearer chances created by the visitors despite the hosts' higher shot count.

Ancelotti's side combines control with clinical edge

Carlo Ancelotti's lineup featured Andriy Lunin in goal, with a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, and Ferland Mendy. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Fede Valverde anchored midfield, while Jude Bellingham, Thiago Pitarch, and Brahim Díaz supported Vinícius Júnior up front. Espanyol, managed by a side that included Marko Dmitrović, Omar El Hilali, Rubén Sánchez, Urko González, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero, Edu Expósito, Ramón Terrats, Tyrhys Dolan, and Roberto Fernández, battled gamely but lacked the cutting edge to convert their 17 attempts into goals. Real Madrid, by contrast, put five shots on target from their 15 attempts and made their 66% possession count.

Vinícius reflects on performance and looks ahead to El Clásico

Speaking to Realmadrid TV after the match, Vinícius Júnior praised the team's collective effort. 'It was a good game. We fought and played together. When we play like this, we are better and stronger,' he said. 'I had the opportunity to score two goals and help the team, which is always the most important thing.' The Brazilian acknowledged the season has not gone as Real Madrid hoped, but expressed confidence in the squad's ability to rebuild. 'We know the season hasn't been as we wanted, but we have the opportunity to try to change things in every match for the next season. I'm sure we will get back to the top, which is what this club needs.' Turning to next Sunday's El Clásico, Vinícius said: 'We have to have another good week to compete and play like we did today. It's a game we love to play, and I hope we can prepare well, come here again, and win.'

Barcelona can seal title in El Clásico next Sunday

The victory delays Barcelona's coronation but does not alter the fundamental arithmetic. Barcelona remain top of La Liga and can clinch the title with a win against Real Madrid in next Sunday's El Clásico. A draw or defeat would keep the race alive, but the margin for error is slim for the defending champions. For Real Madrid, the win provides a morale boost ahead of the biggest fixture in Spanish football. 'Now it's time to think about the next match, which is El Clásico, and it's going to be an amazing game,' Vinícius added. The stage is set for a high-stakes encounter that could decide the league title.

Stakes high for both sides as season enters final stretch

Real Madrid's victory keeps them mathematically alive in the title race, but the odds remain heavily stacked against them. Barcelona's superior position means only a win in El Clásico will suffice to keep the pressure on — anything less would hand the trophy to their archrivals. For Espanyol, the defeat leaves them in a precarious position in the lower half of the table, with only a few rounds remaining to secure survival. The performance, however, offered signs of resilience that could prove valuable in the weeks ahead.

The bottom line

• Vinícius Júnior scored twice to give Real Madrid a 2-0 win over Espanyol, delaying Barcelona's title celebration.
• Barcelona can clinch the La Liga title by beating Real Madrid in next Sunday's El Clásico.
• Real Madrid had 66% possession and an expected goals of 1.66, while Espanyol had 17 shots but only 1.26 xG.
• Vinícius now has 15 La Liga goals this season and 126 for Real Madrid in all competitions.
• Gonzalo García and Jude Bellingham provided the assists for Vinícius's goals.
• Real Madrid's win keeps them mathematically alive in the title race, but Barcelona remain in control.