Vinícius Júnior keeps Real Madrid alive in LaLiga

With Barcelona just one result away from the LaLiga title, Real Madrid travelled to Espanyol knowing that they needed a victory to postpone their old rivals’ celebrations. They got it, thanks to a brace from Vinícius Júnior, who reiterated his importance to this team.

Real Madrid were able to keep the difference at the top to 11 points, meaning that Barça need a result in El Clásico to clinch the title next weekend. Alvaro Arbeloa’s team decided not to surrender in Cornellà and Vinícius was the star of the show. After a season of ups and downs, the Brazilian was unplayable on Sunday and the clear spearhead of the Real Madrid offense.

On the other side, Manolo González’s team continued their dizzying descent down the table. The performance wasn’t as bad as some showings in recent weeks but they failed to apply any real pressure on a Real Madrid side with clear weaknesses. They created few chances and their finishing was poor, two warning signs for Espanyol fans.

Real Madrid playing for pride

Under the threat of being handed the title, with Arbeloa virtually written off, and almost a third of the squad sidelined by injuries, Real Madrid’s lineup in Cornellà was designed to win at all costs. Ferland Mendy, despite everything, was selected ahead of Carreras and Fran García at left-back. However he managed just ten minutes before succumbing to another injury, this time it was his adductor muscle that brought him down at the first sprint.

There was also a start for Eduardo Camavinga, who has been linked with a move away from the Bernabéu in the summer. Arbeloa preferred a false nine, Brahim Diaz, to a natural striker and Thiago Pitarch was handed another start in the midfield.

Throughout the game Espanyol tested Vinícius’ already limited composure. They targeted him and fouled him, six times in the first half alone. At one point a red card was shown to his marker, El Hilali, for a combative tackle. However VAR halved the punishment and handed Espanyol a lifeline.

Vinícius turns up for Madrid

Struggling to find a breakthrough against a stubborn Espanyol side, Arbeloa then changed tactics and brought on Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo García. It would prove to be the breakthrough. Soon after entering, a one-two between García and Vinícius saw the latter thrust into the heart of the penalty area, where he evaded Calero and Cabrera with a feint before slotting the ball past Dmitrovic. Vinícius then linked up with Jude Bellingham, who returned the pass with a neat backheel and Vinicius unleashed a fierce strike into the top corner.

That quick-fire brace was enough to win the game for Real Madrid and avoid Barcelona clinching the title this weekend. Now, the attention will turn to next weekend’s El Clasico, with bragging rights and the Spanish league title on the line for Barcelona.

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