Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 on Sunday, but the result did little to alter the shape of the La Liga race. Barcelona need just one point against Real Madrid in next Sunday's El Clasico to win the title, and they enter it 11 points clear of second-place Real Madrid with four rounds of matches remaining.
Vinicius Junior decided the match by scoring twice in 11 minutes in the second half against Espanyol. Ferland Mendy went off injured in the 14th minute, and Mbappe remains a doubt for El Clasico, adding another concern for Madrid before a game that may define the end of their season.
The standings now leave Real Madrid with no room for error at Camp Nou. They must win there to keep alive the mathematical possibility of catching Barcelona, while a Barca victory would clinch the title and do so in a Clasico for the first time in La Liga history.
Barcelona's position has been built over months rather than days. They have won each of their last 10 league matches and have not lost in the league since mid-February, when Girona beat them. Since then, Madrid have fallen behind after defeats to Osasuna, Getafe and Mallorca and draws with Girona and Real Betis.
That is the tension inside these espanyol vs real madrid standings: Madrid still have the weekend's biggest match left, but the numbers already belong to Barcelona. If Barca take even a point at Camp Nou, the title is theirs, and the season turns on a match that could settle the championship before the final month is out.