Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid Highlights, La Liga: Los Blancos Ride Vinicius Double To Beat Parakeets

Hello, football fans! This is the start of our live blog covering Espanyol’s match against Real Madrid at RCDE Stadium. Stay tuned for pre-match updates and line-ups as they are released.

• Fixture: Espanyol vs Real Madrid

• Series: La Liga 2025-26

• Venue: RCDE Stadium, Barcelona

• Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026

• Time: 12:30 AM IST (May 4)

If Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol tonight, Barcelona will be officially crowned the La Liga champions. Los Blancos will travel to Camp Nou for their next league match, which will be against Barcelona, and Kylian Mbappe & co. will be expected to give their eternal rivals a guard of honour. All the more reason for Real Madrid to clinch all three points tonight.

The players are out at the RCDE Stadium, and Real Madrid, in their all-black away kit, take the kick off to get tonight's match underway. Los Blancos win a free-kick within seconds after a hand on the face of Bellingham.

An early chance for Espanyol. The ball reaches Sanchez on the right, who has acres of space ahead to exploit. The ball is squared back to Roberto, but his shot is a weak one and bobbles wide off the post.

What a chance for Vinicius!! Bellingham does well to make his way into the box before playing it to Trent on the right. The full-back plays a powerful cross towards the other post, and Vinicius's half-volley smashes against the cross bar before Trent's shot is put behind for a corner.

An early injury blow for Real Madrid as Mendy looks to have pulled something while chasing a ball. The French left-back goes down in pain, and is tended to by the physios. However, his night looks to be over, and Fran Garcia comes on in his place.

Brahim is shown a yellow card by Jesus Manzano for a stamp on the foot of Ukro Gonzalez. Moments later, Vinicius sees a yellow card as well.

Considering the context of the match, it has been a really slow start by Los Blancos, who are yet to have a shot on target despite having three-fourths of the ball.

Omar El Hilali is shown a straight red card for a foul on Vinicius! VAR immediately asks the referee to review the incident on the monitor, and Jesus Manzano changes it to a yellow card. The correct decision, based on the replays we saw.

Chance for Espanyol! After a good link-up between Exposito and Romero, the latter floats in a good cross from the right to pick up Terrats, who hits it first-time. However, it was a snatched shot, and it fizzes over the bar. It wasn't an easy opportunity, but the Parakeets have to make these count.

Los Blancos break at the other end, and Trent's corner is met by Tchouameni, who header is easily grabbed on to by Dmitrovic.

Gonzalez's ball is headed behind for a corner by Real Madrid. Exposito floats in a cross towards the middle, targeting Roberto, but the header goes high over the crossbar. Los Blancos survive.

Vinicius wins a free-kick on the right flank, which is played into the box by Trent. It picks out Brahim, who receives it well before pulling the trigger with his right foot. He catches it sweetly, but the half-volley flies inches over the bar. The Moroccan wants a corner, but he won't get it.

Dolan makes a good run towards the Madrid box before laying it off for Terrats, whose shot is deflected behind for a corner. The resulting ball into the box is headed goalwards by Cabrera, but Lunin does well to make a save. That's the final action of the first half as the half-time whistle is blown by the referee.

The players are out on the pitch for the second half. It was a goalless first half, which will be not have pleased Alvaro Arbeloa. Espanyol get the ball rolling, and are on the attack straight away. No changes for either side at the break.

Espanyol have started the second half well, and they win a free-kick after a really dangerous tackle from Trent. It's a yellow for the former Liverpool man, who will surely count himself lucky it wasn't worse. The resulting free-kick is played in by Exposito, but Tchouameni heads it away. Brahim looks to break forward under pressure from Dolan, but his pass is a poor one.

Vinicius puts Real Madrid ahead! It's a swift move from the visitors, with Vinicius cutting in and having a give-and-go with Gonzalo Garcia. Once he gets the ball back, the Brazilian slots it into the near post past Dmitrovic.

Chance for Espanyol! Terrats makes a run towards the Madrid box, and with no support around him, goes for goal from the edge of the penalty area. It's a really good effort at the end, but does not trouble Lunin.

Vinicius scores again to double Real Madrid's lead! It was a carbon copy of the first goal, with Vinicius cutting inside with the ball before playing it to Bellingham, who prompty returns the ball with a backheel. The Vinicius finishes it into the top corner past Dmitrovic.

With the match all but out of their hands, Espanyol make a triple change to inject some energy into their team. Pere Milla, Kike Garcia, and Jofre Carreras come on in places of Dolan, Roberto Fernandez, and Terrats, respectively.

Minutes after Mastantuono forced a diving save from Dmitrovic, Real Madrid opt for a double change. Vinicius is one of the players coming off and doesn't look all too thrilled about it. He is replaced by Cesar Palacios. Camavinga replaces Tchouameni.

After the end of regulation time, the fourth official holds up his board to indicate a minimum of five minutes. Most of the RCDE Stadium has emptied by now, with the remaining supporters looking dejected as the home side's incredible winless run looks set to continue.

Jesus Manzano looks at his watch and blows the whistle to bring the match to an end. Real Madrid have delayed Barcelona's title win, at least for another week. For Espanyol, their search for the first win of the year continues.