United News of Bangladesh

Australia have won the toss and decided to bat first in the 2nd T20I of the three-match series agaisnt Bangladesh in Chattogram. The visitors got off to a brisk start in the match, scoring 27 runs in the first two overs. However, the Bangladeshi bowlers then tightened the grip, with Nasum Ahmed, Nahid Rana and Mustafizur Rahman taking one wicket apiece to leave Australia at 44 runs for three in six overs. Bangladesh made two changes in the playing XI, bringing in Nahid Rana and Nasum for Shoriful Islam and Shak Mahedi Hasan. For the visitors, Xavier Bartlett was replaced by Aaron Hardie. Australia are leading the series 1-0 after winning the opening match by four wickets in the same venue on June 17.

An inter-university carrom competition, organised by the Bangladesh Inter-University Sports Association, began on Friday at the National University (NU) in Gazipur with participation of 18 universities. NU Vice-Chancellor and Sports Board President Prof Dr ASM Amanullah inaugurated the event at the university auditorium in the morning. National and university flags were hoisted followed by the release of pigeons and balloons, along with the playing of the national anthem, on the Smritir Minar premises of the campus as part of the inauguration programmes. Students, teachers, officials and guests attended the opening ceremony. The final of the competition is scheduled to be held on June 21.

South Korean fans react before the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 18, 2026. Photo: AP

Mexico took advantage of a defensive blunder by South Korea to win 1-0 and become the first team to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup on Thursday. It marks a major triumph for a team that failed to get out of the group stage in 2022 and now has won twice on home soil in front of jubilant crowds. Mexico players celebrated at midfield and waved to the fans who cheered and sang from the packed stands at Estadio Akron. Luis Romo scored in the 50th minute after South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with defender Lee Gi-hyuk and dropped the ball inside the area. Romo easily found the open net after picking up the loose ball. The South Koreans nearly equalized in the 87th minute when Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel stopped a header from close range by Cho Gue-sung, then made an even better save of Yang Hyun-jun's attempt on the rebound, extending his right arm to keep the ball from crossing the line. “We've been doing very well,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. “It wasn’t a great match, but I think that our opponent didn’t let us do too much. But we still were able to score, on that mistake, in addition to another two or three opportunities.” Mexico won Group A with six points in two matches, three more than South Korea and five more than the Czech Republic and South Africa, who drew 1-1 earlier Thursday in Atlanta. The top two teams from each group move on to the knockout stage, along with the best eight third-place teams. A round of 32 is being played for the first time at the World Cup after the tournament was expanded to 48 teams. Mexico opened with a 2-0 win over South Africa, while South Korea rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Czechs. Mexico closes group play on Wednesday against the Czech Republic in Mexico City, while South Korea takes on South Africa in Monterrey. Mexico had never won a World Cup game on home soil outside Mexico City. Before 2026, all but one of its nine World Cup matches at home, spanning the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, had been played at Estadio Azteca, with five wins and three draws. When it played in Toluca in 1970, it lost 4-1 to Italy in the quarterfinals. Thursday's match got off to a lackluster start, with neither team creating significant scoring opportunities and both squads getting loudly booed after the halftime whistle. Mexico, ranked 13th, was eliminated in the group stage four years ago in Qatar. That followed seven straight eliminations in the round of the 16. South Korea star Son Heung-min had another disappointing game and was substituted out in the 57th. The 33-year-old Son is looking to become South Korea’s top goal scorer at the World Cup and the Asian player with the most goals in the tournament. The former Tottenham star, currently with Los Angeles FC, entered with three goals over three prior World Cups. Kim kept Mexico from adding to the lead by coming up with a tough save off a close-range shot by Raúl Jiménez in the 75th. The South Koreans pressed through the end but could not equalize. South Korea, ranked 22nd, is making its 11th straight World Cup appearance and 12th overall, the most of any Asian country. Its best result was a fourth-place finish at the tournament it co-hosted with Japan in 2002. Since then, the South Koreans have never gone beyond the round of 16. “The mistake that we made was unfortunate,” coach Hong Myung-bo said. This time there were no empty seats in Guadalajara, contrary to what happened in the earlier match between South Korea and the Czech Republic. FIFA had blamed fans standing in the concourses for the empty seats. Thursday's crowd was announced at 45,522 for the 45,664-capacity stadium, which was hosting the national team for the first time.

Jonathan David scored three goals and Canada won its first World Cup match while all but securing a spot in the knockout round with a 6-0 victory over Qatar on Thursday. Qatar was reduced to nine players because of red cards in the chaotic match. Assim Madibo was handed a red early in the second half after a tackle on Ismaël Koné, who was stretchered off with a broken left leg. Homan Ahmed was sent off in the first half for a challenge on Tajon Buchanan. With the outburst of scoring, Canada tripled its overall World Cup goal total. Cyle Larin scored in the Canadians' opening draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Alphonso Davies scored four years ago in a loss to Croatia in Qatar, where Canada also got on the board with an own goal by Morocco. The Canadians were shut out three times in the 1986 World Cup. “No one will forget this, and no Canadian will forget this day,” said coach Jesse Marsch, who held up six fingers as he walked off the field. “It’s an incredibly seminal moment for everyone to understand that there’s talent in this country, that there’s mentality, that there’s desire, that there’s a lot of things that make this country special.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the 52,497 fans at BC Place after missing the game in Toronto last week because of the G7 summit in France. He sat with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Canada's triumph was marred by its anguish over Koné's injury. Teammates surrounded him in concern after he was tackled from behind and crumpled to the pitch with his lower left leg bent at a gruesome-looking angle. Madibo was clearly distraught before he was ejected. Koné was taken to a hospital, were he was preparing for surgery. His family was with him, Marsch said. Larin scored his second goal of the tournament on a rebound in the 16th minute. Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada punched away David’s volley but it fell to Larin, who pointed to his ears in celebration as the red-clad crowd roared. David doubled the lead with a right-footed volley in the 29th, for his first goal in the run of play in more than a year. Ahmed was sent off with a red card in the 33rd. The official initially pointed to the penalty spot, but after video review Canada was given a free kick just outside the box and the initial yellow card handed to Ahmed was changed to red. Canada made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time when David scored in a scramble in front of the net off a shot that caromed off the crossbar. Qatari players stood with their hands on their hips in frustration while Canada celebrated. Nathan Saliba, who came in as a substitute for Koné, scored on a free kick in the 64th to make it 4-0. Mohamed Manai deflected a shot past his goalkeeper for an own goal in the 75th. David completed the hat trick in stoppage time, joining Argentina’s Lionel Messi as the only players with three goals in a match in this World Cup. “It was a very tough match for many reasons. The players did their best. It was very difficult to face this match with two players less with this environment,” Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said. Canada captain Alphonso Davies was available after he missed the opener while recovering from a hamstring injury, but he did not play. Moïse Bombito was also available after sitting out the first game and came in as a substitute in the second half. Qatar scored a stoppage-time goal to earn a surprising 1-1 draw with Group B favorite Switzerland in its opener. The Persian Gulf country is still looking for its first World Cup win after losing all of its group matches four years ago as the host. Switzerland defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 earlier in the day in Group B.

Brazil fans who went the distance up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps to pose with the Rocky statue left the fictional fighter just as they found him. Every Brazilian fan — in Philadelphia to watch their team play Haiti on Friday at the World Cup — who stopped for a snapshot or a selfie with the 9-foot-11, 1,300-pound beast left the statue dressed in only his bronze trunks and boots. No taking chances of getting hit by the Rocky curse. Yes, the Rocky statue, long a symbol of resilience, heart and the unbreakable bond between Rocky and the people of Philadelphia, has taken a few more hits of late (even in retirement). Visiting American sports fans have long learned the hard way that dressing the statue with colorful jerseys, scarfs, hats, anything found in your local Rally House, has only meant that team would suffer a knockout blow at the home of the local Philly team. Scoff all you want. The bad fortune stretched to soccer when Ecuador fans took over the Rocky steps and sang and danced and waved flags and ... dressed Rocky in a team jersey and tied the country's flag around the fictional fighter's neck. It didn't go well. Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in its first World Cup appearance in a dozen years. And there ain't gonna be no rematch. Brazil fans noticed the outcome and one of their fan groups, the Green and Yellow Movement, urged visitors to keep their clothing to themselves. "ANTENCAO TORCEDOR!" the Instagram post warned. Everyone is paying attention. The translated text read: “It's totally forbidden to put a Brazil shirt on the Rocky statue in Philly!!!!!” Even Visit PA cheekily got in on the fun and tried to warn foreigners that — just like Ivan Drago learned the hard way — Rocky was not to be messed with. “Countless football teams (as in American Football, not Fútbol — same curse, different sport) have all dressed the Rocky Statue in their colors and gone on to lose,” the Instagram post said. “Ecuador dressed Rocky last weekend Coincidence? Sadly, history says no. “Philadelphia can't wait to host you! (but Rocky does not need your kit)” Brazilian fans paid heed to the warning Thursday, and scores of fans simply took the spot in front of the statue and raised their arms in triumph just as Rocky did after so many fights, and many, many movies. Hundreds of Brazilian fans swarmed the Rocky steps late in the day and left the statue bare. Rocky was roped off as if inside the ring and four “Rocky protectors” stood at each corner to keep enthusiastic fans at bay. “This is a moment in Brazil,” said Lorival Guerreiro, who traveled from Limeira, Brazil. “They promote this place to celebrate before the game. The Brazilians come here to celebrate our team." When the bronze statue was left on the steps after filming the “Rocky” movies, the museum fought to have it removed. It was eventually relocated to South Philadelphia before returning to the bottom of the steps in 2006. The statue was a huge hit and became a point of pilgrimage for people around the world. According to the Philadelphia Visitor Center, about 4 million people visit the steps each year — rivaling the nearby Liberty Bell in annual foot traffic. The pop culture icon was recently moved to the top of the steps. Roberto De Freitas, a native of Porto Alegre who now lives in Florida and is attending his third World Cup, climbed the steps for a photoshoot with perhaps Philadelphia's most famous landmark. He was dressed in Brazil's colors — down to the green sneakers — and was set to attend Friday's game. He hoped five-time World Cup champion Brazil would take a page from Rocky's corner and win some more. “We have five titles,” De Freitas said. “We are trying to get that sixth one.” De Freitas had not yet heard of the Rocky curse but had no plans to tempt fate once he learned of the potential consequences. “That's what they said,” he asked with a laugh. “I'm for sure not going to do it.” For the record, De Freitas said “Rocky” was his favorite of all the movies in the series. The Rocky Shop at the base of the steps was loaded with tourists who snaked their way through fighter T-shirts and plush offerings of Mr. T's character, Clubber Lang. Peruvian sports journalist Jampool Cuadros Estrada tried on a Rocky robe as a cameraman followed him around the store for their latest World Cup report. Philadelphia, home to nearly 6,000 Brazilian-born immigrants, has a bit of a recent connection with the South American country. The Philadelphia Eagles opened their Super Bowl championship season with a win over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil in 2024. Facing pressure to win its first World Cup title since 2002, Brazil was outplayed early and needed Vinícius Júnior’s 32nd-minute goal to get a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday. Brazil now needs to beware Haiti, the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation that qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974 and is a noted heavy underdog — just like Rocky. “Brazil has the pressure. Haiti has the freedom,” Haitian singer Wyclef Jean wrote on social media. “And sometimes freedom is the most dangerous thing on the pitch. I can't wait!!!!”  

Canada’s historic first World Cup victory was overshadowed by a gruesome injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné. Koné injured his left leg when Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo tackled him from behind in the second half, sending the 24-year-old to the ground. Koné grimaced and players rushed to his aid, calling for help from the sidelines. Madibo was sent off for the tackle on Koné, who was protectively surrounded by his teammates while he was treated on the field before he was stretchered off. “I saw his leg. I saw that something wasn’t right,” Canada captain Stephen Eustáquio said. He was among one of the first players to reach Koné. Koné was whisked to a local hospital were he was preparing for surgery while surrounded by family, Canada coach Jesse Marsch said. Madibo's red card left Qatar to play with nine men, after teammate Homam Ahmed was sent off in the first half. Fewer than 10 minutes later, Kone’s replacement, Nathan Saliba, scored Canada’s fourth goal in the 6-0 win and held up Kone’s jersey in an emotional tribute. Canada striker Jonathan David, who scored a hat trick, questioned the need for the tackle on Koné. “If there’s a play where you cannot win the ball, there’s no point,” he said. “It’s just to hurt people.” The details of Koné’s injury have not yet been disclosed. His lower left leg looked visibly broken in photos after the incident. “We’re going to miss (Kone),” Eustáquio said. “He has that X factor that our team really needs.”

The family of Argentine football star Lionel Messi has confirmed that his father, Jorge Messi, is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness and appealed for privacy and responsible reporting amid widespread speculation about his health. In a statement released Thursday through Messi’s media office, the family said the 68-year-old is under medical observation and is making positive progress. “Jorge is going through a health situation. He is currently under medical observation, recovering and progressing favorably within his current condition,” the statement said. The family did not disclose the nature of the illness but issued the statement after false reports of Jorge Messi’s death circulated in Argentina. “At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence and humanity,” the statement said, urging the media and public not to speculate about personal health matters. The development came after Lionel Messi appeared emotional during Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening World Cup match. The 39-year-old forward scored the first of his three goals and later revealed he had been dealing with personal difficulties unrelated to football. “I’ve had some tough days. It wasn’t related to soccer,” Messi said after the match, thanking his teammates, coaching staff and delegation for their support. Jorge Messi has played a central role throughout his son’s career, serving as his agent and overseeing his business affairs. He accompanied Lionel Messi to Barcelona as a youngster and later negotiated his contracts with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, while also managing his image rights and business investments. In 2016, Lionel Messi and his father were convicted in Spain on tax evasion charges, though neither served prison time because the sentences were less than two years. Lionel Messi is currently with Argentina’s squad at its World Cup base in Kansas City ahead of the team’s second group-stage match against Austria in Dallas on Monday. The family thanked supporters for their concern and requested that Jorge Messi’s privacy and that of the entire family be respected during his recovery.

Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty as South Africa salvaged a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic on Thursday, keeping alive its hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup. Mokoena struck from the spot in the 83rd minute after Czech midfielder Pavel Sulc handled a long-range effort from Thapelo Maseko inside the penalty area at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The South African midfielder, who was seen in tears during the national anthem before kickoff, calmly sent his penalty beyond Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar to level the score. The Czech Republic had taken an early lead in the sixth minute when Michal Sadilek finished off a move created by Alexandr Sojka, sliding the ball past South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Both sides entered the match under pressure after losing their opening Group A fixtures. South Africa suffered a 2-0 defeat to co-host Mexico, while the Czech Republic went down 2-1 to South Korea. The draw leaves both teams with a chance of progressing to the round of 32. South Africa will face South Korea in its final group match on Wednesday, while the Czech Republic will take on Mexico at the same time.

Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazario has said Lionel Messi should be recognised as the greatest player of all time after the Argentine captain scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 World Cup victory over Algeria on June 16. The three goals in Kansas City marked Messi’s first career World Cup hat-trick. The performance brought his tournament total to 16 goals, tying him with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint top scorer in World Cup history and moving him past Ronaldo's own career mark of 15 goals. "The time has come for the world to stop hiding and accept the truth: he is the greatest footballer of all time," Ronaldo told Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola. "He continues to prove himself every season, in every major tournament, and even at the World Cup." Ronaldo, a two-time World Cup winner, added that the match would be remembered in football history. He added that he was not surprised to see his own goal-scoring record broken by Messi, noting that records are made to be broken and that Argentina enters the 2026 tournament as the defending champions.