Real Madrid Delay Barcelona Title Party with Victory Over Espanyol
Real Madrid vs Espanyol La Liga score results May 2026
Real Madrid successfully delayed FC Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations on Sunday, May 3, 2026, with a clinical 2-0 victory over RCD Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. Knowing that anything less than a win would mathematically crown their arch-rivals as champions, the “Los Blancos” squad relied on a second-half masterclass from Vinícius Júnior to keep the race alive for at least one more week.
Missing key starters such as Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler, Real Madrid struggled to break through a compact Espanyol defense in the first half, but found their rhythm after the interval. According to official reports from Al Jazeera, the breakthrough came in the 55th minute when Vinícius Júnior drove in from the left, exchanged passes with Gonzalo, and finished low off the post.
The Brazilian winger doubled the lead 11 minutes later, curling a first-time effort into the top corner following a precise one-two with Jude Bellingham.
The result leaves Barcelona at the top of the table with 88 points, maintaining an 11-point lead over Real Madrid with four matches remaining in the season.
Hansi Flick’s side had done their part on Saturday evening, securing a gritty 2-1 win away at Osasuna thanks to late goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. While Barcelona fans had hoped for an Espanyol upset to trigger an immediate trophy presentation, the victory for the defending champions ensures the title can now be decided on the grandest stage of all.
As reported by The Sun Nigeria, the 11-point gap means that Barcelona can officially reclaim the Spanish crown next weekend if they avoid defeat in the upcoming El Clásico.
All eyes now turn to the Camp Nou on Sunday, May 10, 2026, for a monumental clash between the two giants of Spanish football.
A victory or a draw for Barcelona would see them crowned champions for the second successive season in front of their home supporters. For Real Madrid, the mission remains mathematically improbable but psychologically significant, as they look to preserve their pride and further delay the coronation of their rivals.
Google Sports Data confirms that while Real Madrid’s win at Espanyol keeps the hunt “technically” active, the Catalans remain overwhelming favorites to secure the three points necessary to cross the finish line. As the season enters its final stretch, the narrative of a title-deciding Clásico has set the stage for one of the most anticipated matches in recent La Liga history.
