European roundup: Vinícius Júnior on target as Real Madrid beat Espanyol

Real Madrid fought back from a goal down to claim a 3-1 victory over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, as the hosts returned to winning ways ahead of a potentially season-defining week in which they face Liverpool and Barcelona.

Second-placed Real, who scored through Vinícius Júnior, Éder Militão and Marco Asensio, maintained their slim title chances by moving up to 56 points - six behind leaders Barcelona, who travel to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Espanyol, who remain 13th, opened the scoring in the eighth minute, as Joselu lashed the ball into the top corner past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois following Rubén Sánchez’s cross from the right flank.

Real stepped up the pressure as they sought a leveller, with Eduardo Camavinga getting a shot on target, before Vinícius Júnior showed his individual skill in the 22nd minute to cut into the box, beat two defenders and rifle in.

With Espanyol pinned back in their own half, the home side took the lead six minutes from half-time as Militão scored with a bullet header after Aurélien Tchouaméni put in a cross with the outside of his foot.

Real continued to press after the break and Rodrygo almost scored their third with a free-kick effort that cannoned off the crossbar in the 75th minute.

Asensio smashed in a third in added-time to wrap up the win for Real, who had dropped points in draws against Atlético Madrid and Real Betis in their last two league games.

In the day’s other games in Spain, Elche host Valladolid, Rayo Vallecano visit Celta Vigo and Valencia are at home to Osasuna.

Bayern Munich, who are already through to the Champions League quarter-finals, are in Bundesliga action at home to Augsburg in a Bavarian derby, while Schalke host Borussia Dortmund in Germany’s late game.

In Italy, Napoli, the leaders, host Atalanta, before Lazio visit Bologna. In France, Paris Saint-Germain are at Brest in the late game.

This story will be updated