United News of Bangladesh

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.

US government officials are accelerating travel arrangements for Ana Candida Evora, the mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, ensuring she can attend Sunday’s World Cup match against Uruguay in Miami. The 40-year-old goalkeeper delivered a heroic, seven-save performance during Cape Verde’s historic 0-0 tournament debut against Spain on Monday. However, strict U.S. immigration policies—specifically a "Visa Bond Pilot Program" requiring high financial bonds from certain nationals—prevented his family from attending. Vozinha revealed post-match that unexpected, hefty fees halted their travel plans in time for the opener. The bureaucratic deadlock prompted immediate political intervention. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries contacted Secretary of State Marco Rubio to resolve the issue, leading to a full waiver of all financial fees. On Wednesday, the State Department confirmed that its consular team in Praia is actively providing the necessary visa services. "No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history," Jeffries said, confirming that travel arrangements are underway for a family reunion in Miami. Cape Verde’s veteran keeper, whose social media following skyrocketed to 12.6 million after Monday's draw, will now have his family in the stands for the crucial group-stage fixture.  

Harry Kane scored twice to match England's all-time World Cup scoring record, while Jude Bellingham netted the decisive goal as England secured a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their Group L opener on Wednesday. The match was a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semifinal, with Croatia twice coming from behind in the first half through goals from Martin Baturina and Petar Musa after Kane had put England ahead on both occasions. Musa's equaliser arrived just before halftime, but England regained control shortly after the restart. Two minutes into the second half, Bellingham latched onto a long pass from Elliot Anderson, broke clear of the defense and fired a shot that struck the far post before finding the net to restore England's lead. Marcus Rashford added a late goal in the 85th minute to seal the win. England coach Thomas Tuchel's halftime message urged his players to play with greater freedom and confidence after conceding a late first-half equaliser. The response was immediate as England dominated large stretches of the second half. Kane's brace took his World Cup tally to 10 goals, equaling the record set by former England striker Gary Lineker during the 1986 and 1990 tournaments. His first goal came from the penalty spot after an initial attempt was disallowed because Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic had moved off his line before the kick. Kane converted the retaken penalty after Luka Modric fouled Noni Madueke inside the area. The Bayern Munich forward reached the milestone later in the first half when he powered home a header from Declan Rice's corner kick. Kane now has 81 goals for England. Croatia remained competitive throughout the contest. Baturina pulled the score level in the 36th minute with a low strike beyond Jordan Pickford, while Musa equalised again moments before the interval after converting a headed pass from Ivan Perisic. Bellingham's goal after the break shifted momentum decisively in England's favour. The Real Madrid midfielder nearly scored again shortly afterward, but Livakovic produced several important saves to keep Croatia in the game. Musa's strike also marked the first World Cup goal scored by an active Major League Soccer player representing FC Dallas. Rashford completed the scoring late on after being set up by Bukayo Saka, calmly finishing inside the penalty area for his 19th international goal. England manager Tuchel praised his team's second-half display, saying the players responded well after being encouraged to play with more courage and express themselves on the field. England will next face Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, while Croatia take on Panama in Toronto in another Group L fixture.

Team formations have become a major talking point at the World Cup, with coaches using a variety of tactical setups to get the best out of their players and counter their opponents. While every team starts with a goalkeeper, coaches have different ways of arranging their 10 outfield players. These formations, often represented by numbers such as 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, indicate how players are positioned across defence, midfield and attack. According to FIFA match reports, nine different formations were used during the opening round of group-stage matches. The traditional 4-4-2 system, featuring four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards, was the most widely used formation, adopted by 12 teams. However, it produced only two wins, with Scotland defeating Haiti and Ivory Coast beating Ecuador. Brazil, Uruguay and co-host Canada were among the teams using the setup. The 4-2-3-1 formation, which includes two defensive midfielders, three attacking midfielders and a lone striker, was used by 10 teams. The system proved successful for the United States, England, France and Austria. Another effective formation was the attack-minded 4-1-2-3, used by eight teams. It produced four victories, including wins for Mexico, Norway, Ghana and Colombia. Spain and the Netherlands also adopted the setup, which places greater emphasis on attacking play with three forwards. Seven teams opted for a 3-4-3 formation, designed to balance defence and attack through a strong midfield. South Korea and Germany were the only winners using this system, with Germany recording the tournament’s biggest win so far by defeating Curacao 7-1. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, used the well-known 4-3-3 formation to beat Algeria 3-0, with Messi scoring all three goals. The system, once famously used by Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning team, remains popular for its attacking flexibility. The defensive 5-3-2 formation was used by South Africa, Tunisia and Congo. While South Africa and Tunisia lost, Congo managed an impressive 1-1 draw against Portugal. The Czech Republic was the only team to use a 5-2-3 setup, but suffered defeat against South Korea. Australia found success with a defensive 5-4-1 formation, defeating Turkey by prioritising solidity at the back. Meanwhile, Sweden used a 3-4-1-2 formation to secure a 5-1 victory over Tunisia. The system includes an attacking midfielder positioned behind two strikers to help link defence and attack. Football analysts note that many coaches now adjust formations depending on opponents or match situations, often changing tactics during games to protect leads or chase results.

FIFA’s decision to introduce mandatory hydration breaks for the first time in World Cup history has sparked debate among experts, coaches and scientists, as concerns grow over extreme heat conditions in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Under the new rule, all matches include three-minute cooling breaks midway through each half, regardless of temperature or whether stadiums are air-conditioned or enclosed. FIFA said the measure is intended to “ensure equal conditions for all teams in all matches,” drawing on lessons from previous tournaments, including last year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the US, where temperatures rose into the 90s Fahrenheit (mid-30s Celsius) and higher in several venues. Some critics argue the breaks disrupt match rhythm and could allow coaches to influence momentum, while others say they are too short to have a meaningful effect on cooling and rehydration in extreme conditions. Some coaches have also questioned the need for such breaks in every match, not only in high heat. Joshua L. DeVincenzo, assistant director of applied research services at Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness, said the breaks are designed to reduce the risk of incidents linked to heat stress and medical emergencies. Experts warn that even elite athletes face risks of exertional heat illness in hot and humid conditions, where the body overheats and places strain on the heart, muscles, nerves and central nervous system. Symptoms may include cramps, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache, dehydration and reduced performance. In severe cases, when body temperature exceeds 105°F (40.5°C), athletes may experience confusion, aggression or loss of consciousness — signs of heat stroke requiring urgent medical attention, said Yuri Hosokawa of Waseda University. She has also called on FIFA to extend cooling breaks to at least six minutes. Experts note that exertional heat stroke is among the leading causes of death in athletes. Dehydration further increases risk, with players often losing 1–2 litres of sweat per hour and sometimes failing to fully replace fluids. Losing as little as 2% of body weight due to dehydration can significantly affect performance. Ryan Calsbeek, professor of biological sciences at Dartmouth College, said human performance improves with warmth up to a point, but beyond a threshold it declines sharply as the body struggles to regulate temperature. He said extreme heat can also impair decision-making, potentially influencing match outcomes. The wet bulb globe temperature — which accounts for heat, humidity, cloud cover and wind — becomes especially dangerous above about 95°F (35°C), though tolerance varies among individuals, he added. While FIFA’s three-minute breaks aim to help players cool down and rehydrate, experts say their effectiveness depends on how they are used, including cooling methods such as wet and cold towels applied to the neck, head, back and arms. Douglas Casa, CEO of the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute, said such cooling can reduce body temperature, but argues longer breaks of five to six minutes would be more effective for hydration and recovery. Bharat Venkat, director of the Heat Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles, said recovery needs vary by individual but emphasized that structured breaks are essential to prevent continuous heat strain. Experts also warn that rising global temperatures will require broader adjustments in sports scheduling and management. “As our planet gets hotter, changes in how and when sports are played will be necessary,” Venkat said.

Luis Díaz scored one goal and provided an assist on his debut on football’s biggest stage as Colombia secured a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan on Wednesday night in their World Cup opener. Daniel Muñoz, also appearing in his first World Cup match, opened the scoring in the 40th minute after a pass from Díaz. Díaz then netted the decisive goal in the 65th minute when his close-range effort deflected off diving goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov and crossed the line. Abbosbek Fayzullaev equalised for Uzbekistan in the 60th minute, marking the country’s World Cup debut in front of a largely pro-Colombia crowd of 80,824 at Estadio Azteca. Jaminton Campaz added a late goal in stoppage time to seal the win for Colombia, who are ranked 13th in the world and were strong favourites against 50th-ranked Uzbekistan. With the win, Colombia moved to the top of Group K, ahead of Portugal and Congo, who played out a surprising 1-1 draw earlier on Wednesday. Colombia will next face Congo on Thursday in Guadalajara, while Uzbekistan take on Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, in Houston. Known as the Cafeteros, Colombia returned to the World Cup after missing the 2022 Qatar edition. Their best performance came in 2014 in Brazil, when they reached the quarterfinals. Colombia finished third in South American qualifying behind Argentina and Ecuador, while Uzbekistan secured second place in their Asian qualifying group behind Iran.

Caleb Yirenkyi scored deep into stoppage time as Ghana secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening World Cup match on Wednesday night. The winning goal came in the fifth minute of second-half added time from a move Ghana had repeatedly worked on during its World Cup preparations. Brandon Thomas-Asante broke free down the left flank and delivered a low cross across the face of goal. Yirenkyi met it with a simple finish, sparking celebrations among his teammates as they rushed onto the field to embrace the two players. "We try to get the ball to the wings, put it into the box and have players making runs to finish," said the 20-year-old Yirenkyi, who scored his first international goal earlier this month in a friendly against Wales. "I just tried to keep moving forward and get into the box. The ball came to me and I finished it." Ghana played without midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada while awaiting trial on rape charges in England. The defeat denied Panama what would have been its first-ever World Cup point. The first half offered few clear opportunities. The only shot on target came in the second minute when Panama forward Cecilio Waterman connected with a low cross from Amir Murillo and directed an effort toward goal from the centre of the penalty area. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi reacted quickly to push the ball away. Ati-Zigi was involved in a couple of heavy collisions and was substituted at halftime. He was replaced by Benjamin Asare. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said the goalkeeper would undergo further assessment on Thursday. The victory moved Ghana to the top of Group L alongside England, which defeated Croatia 4-2 earlier in the day. After a largely cautious opening hour at a rainy BMO Field, the match became more open, with both teams creating chances. In the 65th minute, Thomas-Asante broke through Panama's defence and sent a pass across the six-yard box toward Jordan Ayew. However, defender Jiovany Ramos produced a timely tackle to prevent a certain goal. Antoine Semenyo, who initiated the winning move with a pass to Thomas-Asante, said Ghana struggled in the opening half before improving after the break. "Panama had a very good first half. They kept the ball well and we struggled with our press," Semenyo said. "But in the second half we found more energy, pressed higher and caused them problems, and that eventually led to the winning goal."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Congo in their opening match of the World Cup on Wednesday. Congo, making its first World Cup appearance in 52 years, earned an impressive result against European opposition, becoming the second African team to make a strong start to the tournament after Cape Verde's goalless draw against Spain on Monday. "The World Cup is a tournament where this happens," Portugal coach Roberto Martínez said. "At times the performance is not up to the challenge." Playing before a crowd of 68,777 at NRG Stadium, largely made up of Portugal supporters, Congo secured the first World Cup point in its history after losing all three of its previous matches at the tournament. Many Congolese supporters were unable to travel to the United States because of restrictions related to Ebola concerns. "There was not enough blue in the stands, but the players are tough and they know how to overcome challenges," Congo coach Sébastien Desabre said. "I'm sure many Congolese people are proud of their team today." Portugal took the lead in the sixth minute when João Neves headed home a cross from Pedro Neto. However, Congo equalised deep into first-half stoppage time as Yoane Wissa headed in a cross from Arthur Masuaku, sparking celebrations among the Congo supporters present. It was Congo's first-ever World Cup goal. "It's crazy," Wissa said. "Fifty-two years later we are here, we are back. It's been long, it's been difficult. Scoring that goal means a lot for all Congolese people, for me, my family and the fans." Congo's only previous World Cup appearance came in 1974, when the nation competed as Zaire and lost all three group-stage matches against Scotland, Yugoslavia and Brazil. "The goal changed things," Martínez said. "We almost felt the fear of not losing the game." Portugal struggled to find a winner despite several chances. Ronaldo missed opportunities in the 68th and 73rd minutes, sending both efforts wide of the right post. Asked whether he considered substituting Ronaldo, Martínez dismissed the idea. "It makes no sense to take off the world's top scorer when you need goals," he said. "Cristiano's experience in the box is important, and the way he attracts defenders is important." Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match, surpassing the mark set by Canada's Atiba Hutchinson four years ago. The Portuguese star also joined Lionel Messi as the only players to appear in six World Cups. Messi, who scored a hat trick for Argentina on Tuesday, and Ronaldo are now the only players to have played in six editions of the tournament. Ronaldo still has the opportunity to become the first player to score in six different World Cups. Portugal came close again in the closing stages, but Bruno Fernandes sent a shot wide in the 90th minute. João Cancelo thought he had restored Portugal's lead in the 55th minute with an acrobatic bicycle kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside. At the other end, Cédric Bakambu nearly put Congo ahead, only to see his effort strike the near post. Among those attending the match were the parents of Diogo Jota, the Portugal international who died alongside his brother in a car accident last summer. They watched the game from a luxury suite at the stadium.

Harry Kane scored twice to equal England's all-time World Cup scoring record, while Jude Bellingham netted the decisive goal as England defeated Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener on Wednesday. Kane's brace took his World Cup tally to 10 goals, matching the record set by Gary Lineker during the 1986 and 1990 tournaments. Bellingham's goal early in the second half put England ahead for good, while Marcus Rashford added another late strike to secure the victory. The match was a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semifinal, won by Croatia, and saw both teams exchange goals throughout the first half. Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Croatian midfielder Luka Modric fouled Noni Madueke in the box. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic initially saved the penalty, but a VAR review showed he had moved off his line before the kick was taken, leading to a retake. Kane converted the second attempt with ease. Croatia equalised in the 36th minute through Martin Baturina, whose shot into the left corner beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford despite getting a hand to the ball. Kane restored England's lead with a powerful header from a Declan Rice corner, but Croatia struck again on the final play of the first half when Petar Musa converted from close range after connecting with a header from Ivan Perisic. England regained control shortly after the break. Just two minutes into the second half, Bellingham collected a long pass from Elliot Anderson, broke clear of the defence and finished confidently past Livakovic, with the ball going in off the far post. The Real Madrid midfielder nearly added another goal moments later, but Livakovic made several key saves during a sustained spell of English pressure. Rashford sealed the win in the 85th minute after being set up by Bukayo Saka. The forward entered the penalty area, feinted a shot with his left foot and calmly scored with his right for his 19th international goal. England coach Thomas Tuchel praised his players' response after Croatia's late first-half equaliser. "I encouraged them to go for it, to play with more courage, to be brave and be ourselves," Tuchel said. "I loved their reaction." Kane said Tuchel's halftime message urged the players to play without fear after conceding just before the break. The Bayern Munich striker now has 81 international goals for England. For Croatia, the match marked another milestone for veteran captain Luka Modric, who became the first Croatian player to appear in five World Cups. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic acknowledged England's quality, saying his side created some good chances but struggled defensively against a strong opponent. England will face Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, while Croatia take on Panama in Toronto on the same day.