Real Madrid travelled to the Estadi Cornella-El Prat to face Espanyol in La Liga knowing that three points were required for Carlo Ancelotti's side to have any chance of challenging Barcelona for the title.
Following a tame opening half, Madrid took the lead in the second period through Cristiano Ronaldo, who capped off some precise counter-attacking play with a fierce finish beyond Kiko Casilla.
Real keeper Keylor Navas then produced a horror moment to gift a goal to substitute Christian Stuani, before Marcelo rallied to push the visitors back in front with a standout strike.
Ronaldo returned to bag two late goals and an impressive hat-trick, but it all proved to be in vain as Luis Enrique's men edged past Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon to clinch the championship.
Follow how all of the action developed with our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good evening everyone and welcome to our live coverage of Espanyol's La Liga clash with Real Madrid at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat. Real need a win if they want to keep any slender hopes of domestic glory alive, while the hosts will be seeking to end their final home game on a high.
Madrid's chances of claiming La Liga glory were dealt a major blow following their last league result, which culminated in a 2-2 home draw with Valencia. Current leaders Barcelona need a win today away at Atletico Madrid in order to seal the championship, but a number of Real players will be looking to make a mark this evening given Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Juventus.
Some team news for you now...
REAL MADRID STARTING XI: Navas; Varane, Pepe, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, James, Bale, Marcelo, Carvajal, Isco
REAL MADRID SUBSTITUTES: Casillas, Coentrao, Chicarito, Lucas Silva, Nacho, Jese, Illara
ESPANYOL STARTING XI: Casilla; Arbilla, Alvaro, Colotto, Moreno, V. Alvarez, J. Lopez, Abraham, Víctor; García, Caicedo
ESPANYOL SUBSTITUTES: Fuentes, Colotto, Caicedo, Alvaro, Arbilla, Montanes, Pau Lopez
One of the major talking points today will surround Gareth Bale, with the Welshman looking to bounce back following a disappointing performance in the week. He'll be working alongside the attacking talents of James Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
We're just a few moments away from the start of this evening's clash, with both sets of players emerging onto the pitch. Real probably already know that the title is a little beyond them, but they've still got a point to prove going into the remaining two games of the season.
KICKOFF! The game opens sharply with Real looking to set the pace. The ball is won back by the hosts who shift things forward with real speed. A loose ball breaks in behind Varane, but Navas shows some composure to race off his line and clear away the danger.
It appears as if Espanyol have already singled out Carvajal as the man to attack when they can this evening. The ball is forced hard down the left channel, leaving the Real left-back to show some determination with a good clearance away from the feet of Lopez.
Wonderful work again from Navas as Espanyol look for a cutting through-ball down the left-hand channel with Caicedo trying to break free in behind. The Madrid stopper shows great intelligence again to race out from his goal and clear the ball into touch.
Madrid produce some neat attacking work for the first time in the encounter as Ronaldo throws a dummy to nip in behind the defence, leaving Alvaro to make a last-ditch tackle and see the ball away for a corner.
This game has moved quickly from end to end in these early stages. Neither side has created anything clear cut, but we're being treated to some great movement. Bale looks to set the record straight as he picks up the ball just inside the Espanyol half before charging powerfully into the box. Thankfully for the home side, Moreno is on hand to make a sturdy challenge and win back possession.
CHANCE! How has he missed that? Carvajal finds himself with space on the right flank and he delivers a brilliant whipped ball towards the back-post where Ronaldo is left unmarked. The ball lands perfectly for the frontman, but he can only head into the side-netting with only Casilla to beat. The visitors should be in front...
More probing from Ancelotti's men this time as Marcelo pulls off a well-timed ball across the pitch into the path of an on-rushing Bale. The winger takes it in his stride, but cannot get the beating of Colotto who clears with relative ease.
Espanyol are seeking to steady their feet a little now, with Real stepping off the pressing. The home side push forward with intent and it takes a great block from Carvajal to deflect wide an effort from García on the left side of the box. The resulting corner is a little tame and presents Navas with the chance to pull off his line and collect the ball mid-flight.
Isco has appeared a little weak in the Real midfield thus far, he's been dispossessed far too many times and it's providing Espanyol with some welcome relief in the centre of the pitch.
Ronaldo is cutting a frustrated figure at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat. Carvajal brings the ball forward down the right before finding his teammate, with the Portuguese attacker striking from distance with an effort that flies tamely wide of the Espanyol goal.
The game has settled down a touch in the past few moments. Ronaldo looks like he has the beating of Sanchez, but the experienced defender produces some almost comically defending to block his opponent and hand the away side a free kick.
Espanyol aren't living in fear of Real at the moment, that's for sure. Garcia finds himself with plenty of time to feed in Moreno on the edge of the box, who produces a quick-fire shot that flies wide past an untroubled Navas.
The home side win a cheap free kick within shooting distance of the Madrid goal, with Arbilla stepping up to strike it only to fail to test the goalkeeper. Real spring into action on the counter with Bale produces a wonderful through-ball into the path of Ronaldo although Alvaro does just about enough to block the forward's shot just inside the box.
Madrid threaten now with serious numbers inside the Espanyol area. It begins with Ronaldo whose back-heel finds Benzema, with the striker beating his marker to setup a potential cut-back across the box. Colotto does brilliantly, though, to get a foot in at the vital moment and stop Real from carving out a chance.
The wheels are beginning to turn for the visitors. Isco shows some smart craft to slip a carefully considered pass in behind the defence where Ronaldo is left to break free. The linesman seems to have other ideas, however, as he raises his flag for an offside. Madrid look a little bemused.
Colotto has been impressive this evening. This time he shows great command of the area to step out and take down a Marcelo cross on his chest. He stops the forward run of Caicedo where his attacking qualities leave him short with a pass that's just too heavy for the frontman.
CHANCE! Caicedo almost finds himself through on goal following a great pass from Moreno, leaving Marcelo to produce a wonderful last-ditch tackle to steal the ball away for a corner. The left-back then charges down the other end as Madrid press forward and he produces an almost-telling ball for Bale, but the ball runs free for a Espanyol goal kick.
Marcelo is seeing a lot of the ball now and he has the chance to cross for Ronaldo, only to deliver a pass that's just a little too high for the frontman who stands almost unmarked in the middle of the box. Neither of them look too happy after that!
Things remain level in Madrid at the moment, as Barcelona look to claim the championship this afternoon with a victory over Atletico. Real could still be in the hunt, but they'll need to turn things up a little in front of goal here.
James is given the chance to deliver something of note into the box from around 25 yards out. HIs free kick lacks the required quality, however, allow Casilla to race off his line and gather the loose ball.
Isco shows great feet to beat three men as he begins an assault towards goal, only for the referee to blow his whistle for half time. Strange way to end things, really...
HALF TIME: ESPANYOL 0-0 REAL MADRID
That proved to be an intriguing first half, though we've had very little goalmouth action and Madrid might be a little disappointed about the lack of chances they have created at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat. Bale and Ronaldo have rarely threatened other than on a few fleeting occasions. Espanyol don't look too worried and they've certainly given just as much as they've got in the opening 45 minutes.
Both sides have looked to get shots off on goal, but accuracy has been the major problem. Each side holds six attempts towards goal, though only one of those has registered on target for each team. Real have shaded the possessional statistics with 55% in the first period, but have failed to do much with it.
As we mentioned earlier Barcelona are still being held by Atletico, with the scores level at 0-0 at half time in the Spanish capital. Real must win this fixture in order to keep the title race alive, if Barcelona grab a win they'll wrap up the title this evening.
Ancelotti will be asking for a little more urgency in the second half. The visitors have been a little sloppy on the ball too, especially in the middle of the pitch. They'll be looking for improved performances from James, Kroos and Isco. Madrid might also seek to get Bale and Ronaldo on the ball more, with their pace and strength potentially having a winning impact on this encounter.
We're thankful that La Liga's potential strike was ended on Thursday, allowing this weekend's fixtures to go ahead at the last minute. Spain has been subject to some incredibly good weather for May and the fans in Catalonia seem to be enjoying themselves in the early evening sun.
The players are now back out on the pitch as we await the start of the second half...
KICKOFF! Espanyol get things moving again with the ball fed out to the left flank. Real press hard and the ball is worked back into the feet of Casilla. The keeper clears forward to Garcia, who produces a one-two with Caicedo before bending an effort just wide of the Madrid goal.
The hosts have started brightly and this time Caicedo brings the ball down to flick a forward pass just beyond the Madrid defence towards Abraham. The playmaker spins and crashes a volley towards goal on the turn, only for the shot to end up just wide of the top corner with the linesman also raising his flag for offside.
Moreno is struggling at the moment having looked to block a powerful effort from Bale. Madrid attempt to take advantage from the slight disruption as Ronaldo bursts down the right wing, but his cut-back doesn't have the required quality to pick out Bale in the centre of the area.
Madrid find themselves with time and space on the edge of the area as Marcelo seeks to pick out a pass. Benzema offers an opportunity into feet only to withdraw his obligation at the final moment, leaving Alvaro to nip in and steal the ball back. The left-back looks furious!
OFF THE POST! Marcelo is growing increasingly important it seems. He finds space on the left wing to cross for Benzema at the back-post, with the striker managing to get a volley off despite the ball being a little behind him. The shot beats all of the retreating defenders before hitting the post.
Ronaldo faces a huge moment in the game with the chance to do something from a free kick that settles a little less than 25 yards out from goal. The striker takes his iconic stance before lashing horribly wide of the target. Victor Sanchez also receives a yellow card amongst the action for giving away the initial free kick.
CLOSE! Fantastic work from James who breaks forward from the centre of midfield. He has people in front of him, but isn't offered any positive options. Instead he continues to push on and take a shot from the edge of the area, which flies just a few inches wide of the Espanyol post with Casilla scrambling towards the bottom-let corner.
GOAL! ESPANYOL 0-1 REAL MADRID (CRISTIANO RONALDO)
Ronaldo gives the visitors the lead and it comes thanks to some incisive counter-attacking work. Pepe begins the move with a standout ball into the path of Benzema, who slips in Ronaldo down the left flank. The forward takes one touch before looking up and firing past a helpless Casilla in the hosts' goal. Great finish!
SUBSTITUTIONS: Espanyol make a change with Caicedo being replaced by Lopez, while Real also decide to swap strikers as Benzema makes way for Javier Hernandez.
The away side are trying to close this game out with a second goal and it's Marcelo who leads the charge again down the left. After wining a corner, Madrid are presented with a scramble in the box, but neither Ronaldo or Bale can get the better of Casilla who eventually gathers at the second attempt down at his right post.
James shows some clever play on the edge of the Espanyol box with a cute pass in behind to try and meet the run of Ronaldo. Thankfully for the visitors, Arbilla gets across to slide in and make a good challenge.
SAVE! The hosts have a rare chance to test Navas as Alvarez delivers a free kick towards the back-post, where Lopez is left free to head over the bar. The home side come back again through Sanchez who produces a brilliant dummy to fool Marcelo before being denied by a brilliant save down low from Navas.
Unfortunately for Real, Barcelona now lead in Madrid thanks to an opening goal from Lionel Messi. If things remain as they are, the Catalans will be champions.
GOAL! ESPANYOL 1-1 REAL MADRID (CHRISTIAN STUANI)
What an earth are the visitors playing at? Some terrible goalkeeping lets Espanyol back into the game... Pepe produces a needless back-pass into Navas, who is tackled by an industrious Stuani. The ball breaks to Garcia who then feeds it back into the path of Stuani, leaving the striker to slot home and bring the hosts level.
CLOSE! The home side almost move in front and it comes as Madrid fail to keep the ball in the middle of the pitch. The hosts break with a ball out to Garcia on the wing, who delivers first-time into the path of Stuani. Pepe does well to get across his man and the striker can't get enough on the ball to divert it towards goal.
GOAL! ESPANYOL 1-2 REAL MADRID (MARCELO)
The Brazilian full-back grabs his first goal of the La Liga season to bring Madrid back in front. Casilla is unable to punch the ball clear and it drops kindly to the visiting defender. He pushes forward with a pass into Ronaldo who occupy the right flank, before retrieving the ball in the centre of the box to smash home past an embarrassed Casilla. What a strike...
SUBSTITUTION: Nacho comes on to replace Carvajal at right-back, with Madrid now looking to seal this game shut.
GOAL! ESPANYOL 1-3 REAL MADRID (CRISTIANO RONALDO)
Madrid haven't given up on the hope of a miracle back in the capital. Hernandez does well to beat two men and get a shot off towards goal, only for his effort to be blocked before reaching Casilla. The ball breaks into space where Ronaldo is free to burst forward and fire into the net.
Ronaldo shows his selfless side having peeled away at the back-post unchallenged. Instead of firing with his left he dinks a pass towards Marcelo across the box, but he can't quite adjust his body in time to test Casilla.
Espanyol still seek to move the ball forward and Felipe produces a wonderful touch on the edge of the box to roll his marker, only for his final attempt at goal to curl harmlessly past the post.
Down at the other end Nacho tries to leave his name on the scoresheet with an aggressive lash that flies just inches wide of Casilla's near post, this last ten minutes has been impressive for Madrid.
GOAL! ESPANYOL 1-4 REAL MADRID (CRISTIANO RONALDO)
Ronaldo bags a hat-trick having gambled at the back-post to climb highest and head past Casilla. A wonderful performance from the forward although it's going to have no impact on the outcome of the league with Barcelona still in front in Madrid.
FULL TIME: ESPANYOL 1-4 REAL MADRID
It's another hat-trick from Ronaldo and Madrid produced a brilliant showing in the final 15 minutes, but it hasn't been enough to impact on Barcelona's push towards the title. The Catalan side have just beaten Atletico 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon to hand Luis Enrique the title in his first season as manager at the club.
That's all from me this evening, Madrid showed some real attacking quality in the closing moments of this fixture; if only they'd been able to do that more consistently over the past few months they might have sealed another La Liga title.
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
