Barcelona are champions of Spain after Real Madrid were held 1-1 by Espanyol yesterday.

It was win or bust for Madrid with only a victory sufficient to keep the title race alive for another 24 hours with Barcelona playing Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Given Jose Mourinho's side came into the match with nine wins and a draw in their last 10 games, anything other than three points for Real seemed unlikely.

However, they were disjointed and off the pace in the first half which was dominated by Espanyol, who were unfortunate to only have a one-goal lead courtesy of Christian Stuani's 23rd-minute strike.

Hector Moreno incorrectly had a goal disallowed as Real appeared to have one eye on next Friday's Copa del Rey final against Atletico Madrid.

However, the introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo was followed moments later by Gonzalo Higuain's 58th-minute equaliser.