Vinicius Jr brace keeps Real Madrid alive in La Liga title race after 2-0 win over Espanyol

Key facts

• Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 at RCDE Stadium on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
• Vinicius Jr scored in the 55th and 66th minutes, assisted by Gonzalo García and Jude Bellingham.
• Barcelona's title celebration was postponed; they can clinch the league with a win over Real Madrid next weekend.
• Espanyol have not won a match in 2026 and remain in the relegation zone.
• Real Madrid kept their first La Liga clean sheet since February 8, 2026.
• Kylian Mbappé was absent, enjoying a vacation in Italy; Brahim Díaz started in his place.

A tense first half gives way to Vinicius Jr's brilliance

Real Madrid kept their faint title hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, ensuring Barcelona would have to wait at least another week before confirming the La Liga crown. The match, played on Sunday evening, saw the visitors struggle in the opening 45 minutes as Espanyol, desperate to end a winless run stretching through all of 2026, created the better chances. Roberto Fernández and Rubén Sánchez both went close, while Madrid failed to establish any rhythm in possession. Vinicius Junior was the main outlet for the visitors, striking the post midway through the half and repeatedly testing Espanyol's defensive line. A controversial moment saw Omar El Hilali initially sent off for a challenge on the Brazilian, but the decision was downgraded to a yellow card after a review. That reprieve allowed Espanyol to retain their shape and hold Madrid at bay until the break. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa made a crucial change at halftime, introducing Gonzalo García in the 53rd minute. The natural No. 9, who had been overlooked in the starting XI despite the team's glaring need for a striker, immediately made an impact. Two minutes after coming on, García combined with Vinicius on a simple one-two, and the Brazilian drove infield and finished calmly into the bottom corner to open the scoring in the 55th minute.

Bellingham's backheel sets up a stunning second

The second goal, arriving in the 66th minute, effectively settled the contest. Jude Bellingham, thriving in a freer role, produced a sublime backheel assist to release Vinicius inside the box. The forward struck first-time into the top corner, completing his brace with a moment of real quality. From that point, Madrid managed the game, although Espanyol continued to push forward and registered a respectable number of attempts. Andriy Lunin, who kept his first clean sheet of the season, was rarely troubled in the latter stages, needing only three saves to preserve the shutout. 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. Madrid ultimately settled for two, though they could have had four or five.

Arbeloa's tactical decisions and the missing striker

The win was not without its frustrations. With Kylian Mbappé enjoying an impromptu vacation in Italy, Brahim Díaz took his place up top alongside Vinicius. It became obvious early on that Madrid were desperately missing a striker. Vinicius, Brahim, and Trent Alexander-Arnold made runs down the flanks, but when they looked up to deliver a cross or link up, there was no one in the box. The problem has occurred frequently this season, even when Mbappé is on the pitch. Arbeloa's continued refusal to start Gonzalo García had been a point of contention. The natural No. 9 provides a presence inside the 18-yard-box, someone to get on the end of dangerous balls or make tantalizing runs. Yet he was once again overlooked in the XI until the 53rd minute. His immediate impact—assisting the breakthrough—highlighted what many saw as an obvious solution that had been ignored by both former boss Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa throughout the season.

Player performances: Lunin's clean sheet, Alexander-Arnold's service

Andriy Lunin earned an 8.2 rating for his clean sheet, though he had only three saves to make. Trent Alexander-Arnold, rated 7.4, was influential in creating chances but was lucky not to be sent off for a series of bad challenges. Antonio Rüdiger (6.7) and Dean Huijsen (7.3) held Espanyol's Roberto Fernández to zero shots on target, with Huijsen finally finding his groove defensively. Federico Valverde (7.0) covered immense ground, while Aurélien Tchouaméni (7.0) finished with more defensive contributions than anyone else on the pitch. Jude Bellingham (8.0) was the standout, driving forward, dropping deep, and creating numerous opportunities. Ferland Mendy managed just 14 minutes before being forced off with another injury, adding to Madrid's defensive concerns. Thiago Pitarch struggled in midfield, being overrun and outmuscled during his 50 minutes on the pitch.

Title race implications: El Clásico now decisive

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. Barcelona can clinch the league with a victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, a scenario that would be a bitter blow for Madrid. The win over Espanyol keeps Los Blancos mathematically alive, but their performance highlighted fundamental issues that have prevented them from competing for silverware this season. Espanyol, meanwhile, remain winless in 2026 and are mired in relegation trouble. Their lack of cutting edge in front of goal was evident, as they failed to convert promising positions. The club will need a dramatic turnaround to avoid the drop.

What lies ahead: A week of preparation and pressure

Real Madrid now face a crucial week of preparation ahead of the Clásico. Arbeloa must decide whether to persist with his tactical setup or finally give Gonzalo García a starting role. The team's defensive solidity will be tested against Barcelona's potent attack, especially with Mendy's injury adding to the uncertainty. For Barcelona, a win would seal the title in their rivals' backyard, adding extra spice to an already intense fixture. Espanyol will look to regroup and find their first win of 2026, but their next opponents will be watching closely. The pressure is mounting on both sides of the table, with the season entering its decisive phase.

The bottom line

• Vinicius Jr's brace kept Real Madrid's title hopes alive, but they must beat Barcelona next week to stay in contention.
• Espanyol remain winless in 2026 and are in danger of relegation, having failed to convert chances against Madrid.
• Gonzalo García's impact off the bench highlighted Madrid's ongoing striker problem and Arbeloa's tactical stubbornness.
• Andriy Lunin kept his first clean sheet of the season, but Madrid's defensive issues persist with Mendy's injury.
• Barcelona can clinch the La Liga title with a win in El Clásico, adding immense pressure on Real Madrid.