Real Madrid delayed FC Barcelona’s La Liga title celebration by beating RCD Espanyol and setting up a potentially historic El Clasico next Sunday.
Barcelona now need only a draw against their long-time rivals at the Nou Camp to secure the league title.
Vinicius Junior kept Real Madrid’s faint hopes alive by scoring twice in the second half at the RCDE Stadium, scoring his first after a one-two with Goncalo GarcÃa, before adding another after a backheel assist from Jude Bellingham.
Vinicius also hit the post with a deflected effort early in the match.
Espanyol’s Omar El Hilali was initially shown a red card for a challenge on Vinicius, although the decision was later overturned after a VAR review.
The result means Barcelona will have to wait at least one more week before being officially crowned champions. It also rules out the possibility of Real Madrid giving Barcelona a traditional guard of honor ahead of El Clasico.
Barcelona are currently 11 points clear at the top of La Liga and are on track to set several records, including a potential 100-point season and a league-record 33 wins.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid face the prospect of finishing the season without a trophy for only the second time since 2010.
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