Overview
- Real Madrid, which won 2–0 at Espanyol on Sunday, postponed Barcelona’s title celebration and cut the gap to 11 points with four games remaining.
- Vinícius Júnior settled the match with two second‑half goals in the 55th and 66th minutes, linking first with Gonzalo García and then finishing from a Jude Bellingham backheel.
- A first‑half straight red for Espanyol’s Ómar El Hilali for a foul on Vinícius was downgraded to a yellow after a VAR review by referee Jesús Gil Manzano.
- Left‑back Ferland Mendy exited after about 14 minutes with a muscle injury, bringing Fran García into the game for Madrid.
- Coach Álvaro Arbeloa praised Vinícius’ leadership and said Kylian Mbappé’s availability will be assessed this week ahead of the Camp Nou Clásico, where only a Madrid win would keep the race going.