Vinicius double keeps Madrid alive as Barcelona wait for La Liga title

Monday May 4, 2026

Vinicius Junior struck twice on Sunday to lead Real Madrid to a 2-0 victory at Espanyol, a result that put Barcelona’s La Liga title party on hold for at least another week.

Barcelona would have been crowned champions with four matches left had Madrid failed to win at the RCDE Stadium, but the outcome leaves the destination of the trophy likely to be settled in next weekend’s Clasico.

Madrid are now 11 points behind Barcelona with 12 still available, so a draw for Barcelona at Camp Nou next week would be enough to clinch a second title in three seasons.

Vinicius nearly opened the scoring early with a shot that took a deflection and rattled the woodwork, while Madrid also suffered a setback when left back Ferland Mendy went off with another muscle injury.

Referee Jesus Gil Manzano first showed Espanyol defender Omar El Hilali a red card for a challenge on Vinicius, but that decision was reduced to a yellow after a VAR check.

Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin came up with an important intervention just before halftime, turning away Leandro Cabrera’s header from a corner.

Vinicius finally made the breakthrough 10 minutes into the second half, finishing at the near post after a pass from Fede Valverde, and he later doubled the lead with an angled effort after Jude Bellingham set him up with a back-heel.

The result keeps Madrid’s fading title hopes alive against an Espanyol side still looking for its first win of 2026.

Barcelona had already set the pace on Saturday with a 2-1 away victory over Osasuna, earning all three points through late goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres after Raul Garcia had equalized in the 88th minute. Marcus Rashford delivered the crosses for both Barcelona goals.

Real Betis moved further into control of fifth place, a position that may be enough for Champions League football, after a 3-0 home win over Oviedo thanks to two goals from Cucho Hernandez and another from Abde Ezzalzouli.

Celta Vigo claimed a 3-1 home win over Elche with goals from Hugo Alvarez, Iago Aspas and Borja Iglesias, who added a late third after Andre Silva had briefly given the visitors hope from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute.

Rayo Vallecano edged closer to securing survival in the top flight with a 2-0 away win at Getafe, as Sergio Camello scored early and Randy Nteka wrapped things up after goalkeeper Augusto Batalla saved a penalty.

Villarreal booked their place in next season’s Champions League with a 5-1 demolition of Levante, with Georges Mikautadze netting twice and Alberto Moleiro, Tajon Buchanan and Nicolas Pepe also getting on the scoresheet.

Atletico Madrid, with coach Diego Simeone resting most of his regular starters, still managed a 2-0 win away to Valencia thanks to goals from Iker Luque and Cubo.

Athletic Club battled back twice before going on to beat Alaves 4-2 away, with Nico Williams scoring a brace as coach Ernesto Valverde reached 500 matches in charge.

Mallorca opened the weekend on Friday with a 1-0 away win at Girona, Samu Costa scoring the only goal of the game.