El Clásico & Squad Deadline: Barcelona 2-0, Flick's Father & 48 Nations File | 31 Days to Go — World Cup Central

Thirty-one days to kick-off — El Clásico just rewrote history. Marcus Rashford's 9th-minute free-kick — the first Barcelona direct free-kick goal in a Clásico since Messi in 2012 — put Barça ahead. 1 Ferran Torres doubled it. Barcelona: 29th La Liga title, back-to-back.

The story behind the scoreline is extraordinary. Hours before kick-off, Hansi Flick's father passed away. He told his players, took the touchline anyway, and watched them win the title for him. 2 Rashford said he showed his character by staying — and Flick's words after the final whistle: «I will never forget this moment.»

Madrid's night was bleak. Mbappé — 24 La Liga goals — wasn't even on the bench. 3 Left hamstring, Valverde also out. Arbeloa: «We understand the frustration.» A second straight season without a trophy.

Today is Squad Deadline Day — all 48 nations file preliminary rosters with FIFA. 4 Brazil submits with Neymar confirmed. 5 France announces May 14. Foden's ankle and Carvajal's bone fissure are live doubts. Mbappé expected fit for France's June 14 opener.

Two updates. Mourinho denied all Real Madrid contact at his Benfica press conference today — directly contradicting Romano's «direct talks underway» report. 6 No appointment made. And Rodri missed a third straight match — his groin injury more serious than Man City expected. 7 Spain's concern deepens.

Thirty-one days. Barcelona are champions. Squads are filing. The drama is just getting started — this is World Cup Central.