Three questions and three answers from Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 03: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images) | Getty Images Real Madrid poured water on any Barcelona title celebrations by delaying the conclusion of the title race until next weekend by beating Espanyol with a pair of sublime second-half finishes from Vinícius Júnior to wrap up a 2-0 victory. Three answers 1.

Would Real Madrid gift Barcelona the league title with another slip-up? Anything but a win here would’ve seen Barcelona celebrate the La Liga title on Sunday night, just down the road from Cornellà where this match was being played. Instead, the race will now go to next weekend, and the Clásico.

It’ll be the first time since 1932 and only the second ever in which a Clásico could seal the title. In some respects, it works out better for a Real Madrid side who will decide their own fate, avoid the humiliation of a guard of honour, and have the opportunity to go down fighting with a statement win, even if it’s not enough to mount a fight back in the title race. In others, it provides Barcelona with the opportunity to celebrate mathematically guaranteeing the title in their own back yard at Camp Nou in the faces of a Real Madrid side who have already suffered enough this season.

Such a dramatic ending seems ironically suited to the campaign that Real Madrid have endured in 2025/26, but nothing could rub salt in the wounds more than a Clásico defeat to hand the trophy to Barcelona. 2. Would it become 10 in a row without a clean sheet?