Real Madrid beats Espanyol, keeps La Liga title hopes alive

Vinicius Junior scored two goals in the second half to lead Real Madrid to a 2-0 victory over Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday night, keeping the team’s faint championship hopes alive.

With four matches left, Barcelona tops the table with 88 points, 11 ahead of Real Madrid. The two sides meet at Camp Nou next weekend, where Barcelona could seal a second consecutive league title.

Vinicius broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. He cut in from the left flank, combined with Gonzalo before sidestepping two defenders and slotted a low shot into the far post.

The Brazilian added a second in the 66th minute after a slick one-two with Jude Bellingham, firing into the top corner.

The match was played at a slow tempo. Real Madrid were missing several key players including Kylian Mbappe, Arda Guler, Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao but controlled the game from the start. In the 8th minute, Vinicius had already hit the post from inside the box.

Despite dominating possession, the visitors struggled to create clear-cut chances until Vinicius decided to change the game. The opening goal early in the second half was a brilliant solo run: he sprinted from the left wing, received the ball back from Gonzalo inside the box, feinted twice and shot.

The second goal came from a backheel pass from Bellingham. Vinicius, inside the area, turned and fired with his right foot into the top right corner, leaving the Espanyol goalkeeper no chance.

The victory delays Barcelona’s celebrations, but likely only for a week. Their opponent at Camp Nou next weekend is Real Madrid.