Vinicius Junior’s two goals ensured Madrid remain in the title race with Barcelona ahead of next Sunday’s El Clasico.
Published May 3, 2026
Vinicius Junior scored twice in the second half as Real Madrid kept their slim title hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday.
With four games left, Barcelona leads the table with 88 points, 11 behind second-placed Real. The Catalans could become champions for the second consecutive season with Clasico at Camp Nou next weekend.
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Vinicius broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, running in from the left, exchanging passes with Gonzalo, cutting into two defenders and scoring under the post.
The Brazilian scored again in the 66th minute after a nice one-two with Jude Bellingham, directing his first shot into the top corner.
Vinicius set off fireworks in an otherwise lackluster performance for Real on Sunday night. Despite missing several key starters, including Kylian Mbappé, Alda Guler, Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militão, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side controlled the game from the start, opening the scoring in the eighth minute when Vinicius hit the post from inside the box.
However, despite having more of the ball, the visitors struggled to convert clear chances in a slow-paced game until Vinicius decided the game needed a jolt.
The Brazilian winger took the lead with a superb goal 10 minutes into the second half. He darted out from the left, collected a return pass from Gonzalo inside the area, feinted his way into the middle, separated two defenders, and fired a low shot into the left post.
Eleven minutes later, Vinicius scored again, this time after a sharp shot from the left and some clever exchanges with Bellingham.
The England midfielder backheeled the ball back and Vinicius shifted his weight in the box and curled his first shot with his right foot into the top right corner, giving Espanyol’s goalkeeper no chance.
The victory delayed Barça’s title celebrations, but it will probably only last for a week, as Barça have the chance to close out the title against their arch-rivals next weekend.
