United News of Bangladesh

England booked a place in the World Cup quarterfinals with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over hosts Mexico on Sunday, ending Mexico's unbeaten World Cup record at Estadio Azteca. Jude Bellingham scored twice in quick succession, while Harry Kane added a penalty as England overcame a hostile crowd, the high altitude of the famous stadium and playing with 10 men for more than half an hour. England will now face Norway in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida, with a place in the semifinals at stake. "I am just proud of the mentality and the attitude," England coach Thomas Tuchel said. "The round of 16 is where you have to find a way to win, and we did it with heart and determination. We overcame every obstacle." Bellingham gave England the lead with a header in the 36th minute before doubling the advantage just 98 seconds later after receiving a pass from Kane, silencing the crowd of 80,824 at Estadio Azteca, where Mexico had been unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches, including three in this tournament. "We've done something incredible tonight," Bellingham said. "We'll enjoy it, recover for a couple of days, and then focus on Norway." Mexico pulled one back in the 42nd minute through Julián Quiñones, and the match swung further in the hosts' favour when England defender Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute for a dangerous challenge on Jesús Gallardo. Despite being down to 10 players, England restored its two-goal lead six minutes later after winning a penalty when Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel brought down an England player inside the box. Kane calmly converted the spot-kick for his sixth goal of the tournament and the 14th World Cup goal of his career. The goal moved Kane level with Germany great Gerd Müller as the fifth-highest scorer in World Cup history. He now trails only Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot. Kane later conceded a penalty, becoming the first player since at least 1966 to both score and give away a penalty in the same World Cup match. Raúl Jiménez converted from the spot to reduce the deficit to 3-2. Tuchel praised his team's effort, especially after playing nearly 40 minutes with 10 men at high altitude. "Playing with 10 men for 40 or 50 minutes is difficult anywhere, but we did it here at altitude," he said. "The players gave everything for the team and the country." Mexico launched repeated attacks during the final 21 minutes and 11 minutes of stoppage time, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and England's defence stood firm to secure the victory. Bellingham called it one of England's biggest victories in recent memory. "This is probably one of the biggest England wins I can remember, either as a fan or a player," he said. "It's the best night of my England career." England suffered one setback after the match when midfielder Jordan Henderson was taken to hospital with a wrist injury. Tuchel said Henderson was hurt after falling over an advertising board while celebrating with teammates. "I have mixed feelings because Jordan injured his wrist and it looks quite serious," Tuchel said. "It doesn't fit with such a great evening that he's not with us." Mexico's wait to reach the World Cup quarterfinals continues. The team has not made the last eight since hosting the tournament in 1986. Since then, it has lost in the round of 16 eight times, failed to get past the group stage in 2022 and missed the 1990 World Cup after being disqualified. "Dreaming and losing like this hurts a lot," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. "But the players gave everything on the field. Unfortunately, it just wasn't our night." The defeat was only Mexico's third competitive loss at Estadio Azteca since the stadium opened in 1966. England had little time to adjust to the venue's altitude of 2,200 metres (7,300 feet), while Mexican fans also tried to disrupt the visitors by making noise outside their hotel before the match. Kick-off was delayed by an hour because of a thunderstorm. England, seeking its first World Cup title since 1966, celebrated with its travelling supporters after sealing a memorable victory.

Neymar said Sunday he is done playing for Brazil’s national team, making the announcement after he and his teammates were knocked out of the World Cup with a 2-1 loss to Norway in the round of 16. “I tried,” Neymar said. “It started here at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over.” Neymar, 34, played his first game for Brazil on Aug. 10, 2010 — a friendly against the U.S. at the stadium in the Meadowlands in northern New Jersey. Against Norway, he scored on a penalty kick in the final minutes after subbing in off the bench. Because of a nagging right calf injury, Neymar appeared in only two of Brazil's five games in the tournament. He also was on the field for 15 minutes against Scotland in group play. Brazil’s best player for more than a decade had been slowed by injuries in recent years that limited his impact. The country is now entering a period of transition, with the next generation taking over. “We ask that people will have the patience with the new generation and support them from the get-go,” captain Marquinhos said.

U.S. President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of American star forward Folarin Balogun, whose red-card suspension was lifted in a decision that allows him to play in a World Cup match against Belgium on Monday. Balogun, the American leader with three goals in the tournament, received a red card for stepping awkwardly on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemović of Bosnia-Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday, triggering an automatic one-game suspension. FIFA announced Sunday that the suspension had been lifted for the round of 16 match, an extraordinary move that triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium’s team. It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup did not result in a suspension. Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the game asking FIFA review the red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump said in a statement on social media. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished,” and Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA’s action. “I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe,” Garcia said through a translator in an April Fools' Day comparison. “The Belgian federation does not defend itself, it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it’s the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision.” Garcia wouldn’t respond when asked about a possible appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport or whether he thought Trump impacted FIFA’s action. “In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the Belgian federation said in a statement. American players learned of Balogun’s availability when social media posts started popping up during the 10-minute bus ride Sunday morning from their hotel to training at the University of Washington’s Husky Soccer Stadium, where they were greeted by Dubs II, the university's Alaskan Malamute. Balogun’s red card had been one of the World Cup's most controversial and consequential decisions. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus didn’t initially signal a card but showed Balogun red after a video review. “If you look at the foul, it was just zero intent at all,” U.S. star Christian Pulisic said. “I felt like there was much worse ones that went on this tournament.” The U.S. Soccer Federation learned of FIFA's action in a message sent by FIFA in its portal at 10:31 a.m. EDT. “The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA announced. “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino applauded FIFA's move. “We were punished enough against Bosnia-Herzegovina to play with 10 men (for) 30 minutes in a decision that was completely unfair,” he said. Pochettino, who played for Argentina in the 2002 World Cup, was not surprised Trump decided to call Infantino. “I came from a culture, Argentina or Europe, that football, soccer is a religion, more than the religion,” he said. “If we go keep going, pushing on, maybe one step more tomorrow you will see that the sport is magic, that the sport is amazing, is so powerful, unite people, unite a country like us.” Balogun’s three goals included a go-ahead strike against Bosnia. He matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude’s four in the initial tournament in 1930. A 25-year-old who plays for Monaco, Balogun scored 13 Ligue 1 goals last season and has 12 goals in 30 international appearances. He was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents who were living in London and in 2023 opted to change his national team affiliation from England, which he had represented at the under-21 level. “He strikes fear into a lot of defenders,” Richards said. The host U.S. is seeking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. The Americans lost in the round of 16 to Ghana in 2010, Belgium in 2014 and the Netherlands in 2022. They failed to advance from the group stage in 2006 and didn’t qualify for the 2018 tournament. The USSF did not make Balogun available for comment Sunday, but Balogun posted on social media a picture of himself in front of U.S. fans and overlaid with music of Michael Jackson’s pop single “Bad.” On Friday, Balogun said he thought a yellow card instead of red “would have been fair.” FIFA said its decision relied on Article 27 of disciplinary committee rules. “The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure,” the rule states. “By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.” FIFA in November deferred the final two games of a three-match ban for Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for a red card against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier, allowing him to play at the start of the World Cup. Argentine defender Nicolás Otamendi and Ecuadoran midfielder Moisés Caicedo in April had one-game bans deferred for red cards in qualifiers, also allowing them to be available for World Cup openers. Brazilian midfielder Garrincha received a red card in the 83rd minute of the 1962 semifinal against host Chile for kicking an opponent but was allowed to play in the final against Czechoslovakia after a lobbying campaign that included support from Chile President Jorge Alessandri. Brazil won the final for its second straight title. “What about the next red card? What happens then?” Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said. “Is there going to be some committee somewhere that is going to take that card away? It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup.”  

Erling Haaland scored, and Andreas Schjelderup jumped on his teammate’s back. Haaland scored again, and Schjelderup leapt up again. Heading in the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute and scoring again before the end of regulation time, Haaland put Norway on his back and carried it into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 2-1 defeat of Brazil on Sunday that showcased the towering striker on soccer’s biggest stage. “Maybe this will write history in Norway,” Haaland said. “Everyone just need to enjoy themselves. This is just an insane day. It’s one of the most insane days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, embrace it and enjoy the moment.” After being a nonfactor for much of the afternoon and having limited touches, Haaland spoke at the second-half hydration break with coach Ståle Solbakken, who told him to drain his energy and go for it. Haaland turned it on when it mattered most, getting the right side of his head on the ball after a perfect setup by Andreas Schjelderup, who entered at halftime. Haaland scored a little over minutes later for his seventh of the tournament, through Danilo’s legs to tie Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé of France in the race for the Golden Boot. “It felt it was a gift from God that it actually went into the net,” Haaland said after scoring in a 14th consecutive competitive match internationally. He has 27 in that stretch and 62 in 54 with Norway. At the other end, goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland was stellar. He made a crucial stop early, diving to his left to deny Bruno Guimarães’ penalty kick in the 14th minute, then got his left hand on a shot by Endrick late when Norway was hanging on to a one-goal lead. The only goal Nyland allowed was to Neymar on a penalty kick late in stoppage time, which changed just the final score. Neymar, who is 34, said this was his final game playing for Brazil’s national team. Nyland, who at 35 is his team’s oldest player, was a huge factor in a historic victory that ranks among the most significant in the country’s history — at least on the men’s side. Norway’s women’s team won the World Cup in 1995, but the men have only qualified four times and not since 1998. They had not gone further than the round of 16. “I think that all Norwegian citizens are experiencing the night of a lifetime,” Solbakken said. “Some people say that we have changed Norway forever. Probably, they will party for a week or so.” Norway next faces England on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Solbakken said he had more than a dozen friends already book travel to South Florida. Guimarães became the first Brazil player not to score on a World Cup penalty kick since Zico in 1986. The decision to have him take it instead of star Vinícius Júnior brought immediate second-guessing and may be questioned and criticized for quite some time. Coach Carlo Ancelotti said he and his staff did a yearlong statistical study that determined, with Neymar not on the field and Raphinha injured, Guimarães was the right choice. There were plenty of other missed opportunities, including Casemiro missing Neymar on a crossing attempt on what could have been the tying goal. “We really fell short in the opportunities that we did create,” captain Marquinhos said. “We had a penalty kick, we had some other chances as well, but here’s the World Cup for you. Those that make the least mistakes are able to move forward to the next round, and to be victorious.” Brazil goes home having massively underachieved expectations set pretty much at win or bust for the five-time World Cup champions. The global powerhouse had its streak of quarterfinal appearances at the tournament end at eight, losing before that stage for the first time since 1990. It was Brazil’s seventh consecutive loss to European opponents in the knockout round at the World Cup, dating to beating Germany in the 2002 final. The absence of injured midfielder Lucas Paquetá did not help. Norway got defender Julian Ryerson back from his injury that sidelined him the past two games, and Solbakken was rewarded for making changes at halftime by Schjelderup setting up each of Haaland’s goals. “During the game, you have to take the calls decisions that you feel are appropriate,” Solbakken said. “It’s a gut feeling that Oscar (Bobb) and Andreas might make a difference, and I felt more secure with them on the pitch the way I wanted us to play the second half, and then you saw what happened.” Those moves played a role in the upset, though this one was not nearly as massive as the group stage in 1998. Norway showed how much it had evolved as a soccer nation since then, with knocking off Brazil the latest step in that process. Yellow-clad Seleção fans outnumbered those in Norway red, many of whom did the now-famous Viking Row in the stands — with Brazil supporters even cheering it before kickoff. Brazil’s fans were stunned silent when it returned after the game, with Haaland banging the drum and leading the celebration. “I’ve peaked a couple of times during this tournament, but this was a new peak,” Haaland said. Also in the sellout crowd of 80,663 were rapper Jay-Z, comedian Chris Rock, actor Woody Harrelson, actress Sofía Vergara and basketball player Jalen Brunson of the NBA champion New York Knicks, who elicited a healthy roar when he was shown on video screens.

Mexico will bid to reach the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years when it takes on England in the Round of 16 on Sunday at the iconic Estadio Azteca, where El Tri remains unbeaten in this tournament. Mexico has lost only two official matches at Azteca since the stadium opened in 1966, with the most recent defeat coming against Honduras in 2013. Former striker Hugo Sánchez said the stadium's unique atmosphere has helped Mexico build an outstanding home record and expressed confidence that the team can beat England after its impressive win over Ecuador. Norway coach doesn't regard Brazil as "big favorites" Mexico has won eight and drawn two of its 10 World Cup matches at Azteca across the 1970, 1986 and current tournaments. In this World Cup, it has won four straight matches, including three at Azteca without conceding a goal. Coach Javier Aguirre described Sunday's clash as one of the country's biggest World Cup matches as Mexico seeks to end a run of seven consecutive Round of 16 eliminations following its 1986 quarterfinal appearance. England, led by Harry Kane and coach Thomas Tuchel, reached the knockout stage after defeating Congo 2-1. While England boasts greater squad depth, Tuchel acknowledged the challenges posed by Mexico City's high altitude and intimidating atmosphere, though he said his team is prepared for the occasion. Fans are also expected to create a hostile environment outside England's hotel ahead of the match.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken has reminded his players against being overwhelmed by the occasion of playing against five-time champion Brazil in Sunday's World Cup round of 16 game. "We need to play the match, not the circumstances," he told reporters in New Jersey on Saturday. "We need to make sure that we don't play according to the occasion, but that we simply play the match. "Obviously, Brazil is the favourite, but I also said that I don't think they are big favourites, which they maybe had been some years ago, or two, three, four years ago. Last time the two sides clashed was in the 1998 World Cup, where Norway edged Brazil 2-1 in a group game. Norway has two wins and two draws in their previous four meetings with Brazil. "Now we have had a very good run for a very long time, and we have great confidence," said Solbakken.

France captain Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record after converting a second-half penalty to secure a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 on early Sunday. Mbappe calmly slotted home from the spot in the 70th minute after Paraguay's Diego Gomez was penalized for tripping him following a video review. The goal was Mbappe's 19th in 19 World Cup appearances, leaving him just one behind Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who scored his 20th World Cup goal in Argentina's 3-2 win over Cape Verde on Friday. The strike also took Mbappe's tally to seven goals in this year's tournament, drawing level with Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, awarded to the competition's top scorer. France coach Didier Deschamps praised his captain's leadership and commitment after the match. "He has shown the right attitude from the very beginning and gives everything for the team," Deschamps said. "He is an outstanding player, and when he speaks, he speaks for the entire group." Mbappe also became the first player to score at least three goals in the knockout stages of three different World Cups. The match was fiercely contested, with several physical challenges directed at the France forward. Tensions flared in the first half after Paraguay's Andres Cubas fouled Mbappe, triggering a brief confrontation between players from both teams. Later, Matias Galarza caught the French star with an elbow during another challenge. Following the final whistle, Mbappe appeared to ignore a handshake attempt from Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who responded by throwing the ball toward the France captain. Reflecting on the physical contest, Mbappe said France had been prepared for Paraguay's approach and matched their intensity. The victory sends France into the quarterfinals and keeps Mbappe firmly in contention for both the Golden Boot and the World Cup career scoring record. Norway's Erling Haaland and England's Harry Kane are next in the Golden Boot standings with five goals each. If players finish level on goals, FIFA will decide the award based first on assists and then on the fewest minutes played. Mbappé currently holds a 2-0 advantage over Messi in assists.

Kylian Mbappe scored the decisive goal as France edged Paraguay 1-0 in sweltering conditions on early Sunday to secure a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The French captain converted a second-half penalty at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, helping Les Bleus advance to the last eight for the fourth consecutive World Cup. Playing under extreme heat, with temperatures approaching 38 degrees Celsius, both teams struggled to maintain a high tempo. Paraguay frustrated France for long periods with a disciplined defensive performance, but the breakthrough came in the 70th minute when Diego Gomez was penalized for a foul following a video review. Mbappe calmly converted the spot kick for what proved to be the match-winning goal. The strike was Mbappe’s 19th career World Cup goal in as many appearances, leaving him just one short of the tournament record held by Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Mbappe has also moved level at the top of the Golden Boot race with seven goals in the tournament. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who had starred in his team’s shock penalty-shootout victory over Germany in the previous round, produced several important saves to keep his side in contention. He denied Manu Koné and later stopped two additional efforts from Mbappe during stoppage time. Tensions flared throughout the physical contest, with several heated exchanges between players. Following the final whistle, an apparent disagreement between Gill and Mbappe briefly overshadowed the result before emotions cooled. France coach Didier Deschamps praised his side for overcoming a difficult challenge after a series of more comfortable victories earlier in the tournament. France, champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, have now won all five of their matches at the 2026 World Cup while outscoring opponents 14-2. The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash against Morocco on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts. France defeated Morocco in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup en route to reaching the final. Paraguay exit the tournament after another spirited performance, having earlier produced one of the competition’s biggest surprises by eliminating Germany in the knockout stage.

Azzedine Ounahi scored twice to lead Morocco to a 3-0 win over Canada in the World Cup round of 16 Saturday to make the country the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals more than once. It’s Morocco’s second straight appearance in the quarterfinals after becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals in 2022. Neither team was able to break through until Ounahi took a free kick from Achraf Hakimi and made a right-footed shot through traffic from outside the box to the bottom right corner to put Morocco on top 1-0 in the 50th minute. Ounahi made it 2-0 on a right-footed shot from the middle of the box off a pass from Brahim Díaz in the 82nd minute. Soufiane Rahimi added a goal in the final minute of stoppage time. Morocco advances to face the winner of Saturday’s Paraguay-France match on Thursday at Boston Stadium. The loss ends a historic run for World Cup co-host Canada, which won its first-ever knockout round with a 1-0 victory over South Africa to reach Saturday’s match. The country was playing in the World Cup for just the third time and the run enchanted a nation that is normally far more interested in hockey than the pitch. Morocco, which is ranked sixth in the FIFA rankings, dispatched the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to reach the round of 16 and send the country to its earliest World Cup exit. Canada had a couple of chances to score late. Jonathan David had a free kick from outside the box in the 78th minute, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Just after that Tajon Buchanan’s shot from about 30 yards was stopped with a diving save from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Bounou, who was born in Canada to Moroccan parents, had three saves to help Morocco to the win. This game was a rematch from the last World Cup when Morocco beat Canada 2-1 in the group stage in a tournament in which Morocco finished fourth. It was an extremely physical match with eight yellow cards being issued. Both teams received four. Hakimi and Canada’s Richie Laryea received yellow cards in the 40th minute. Hakimi shoved Laryea to the ground and then Laryea pushed him and a minor scuffle ensued. Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari left with an injury in the 22nd minute.

The final whistle did more than end a football match. It marked the farewell to a field that, within weeks, is expected to disappear forever beneath the waters of the Jamuna River. On Friday, the sandy riverbank of Dhalarchar in Aminpur, Pabna, hosted what residents called their last friendly football match. The teams—Swapnagram Brazil and Swapnagram Argentina—were made up of local young footballers known as the "Char Boys." The event was organised by the BK Foundation as a tribute to a riverine community that has learned to live with loss as an unavoidable part of life. While millions across the globe celebrate the FIFA World Cup through television screens and stadiums, the people of Dhalarchar embraced the spirit of football in their own unique way. Brazilian and Argentine flags fluttered from fishing boats and the tin roofs of modest homes.