United News of Bangladesh

Nawabpur Krira Chakra earned a 2-1 goals victory over Mohakhali Ekadosh in the Bashundhara Group Senior (First) Division Football League 2023 -24 at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur on Saturday afternoon. Toriqul Islam and Mohammad Habibullah scored for Nawabpur KC, one in each half. Sr Division Football: Jatrabari Jhotika Sangsad beat Mugda Somaj Kallyan OKS Apon Chandra Roy netted the lone goal for Mohakhali Ekadosh in the 2nd half. Ekramul Haque of Nawabpur KC got a matching order after receiving 2nd yellow card in the match. In the day's other league match, Badda Jagoroni Sangsad played to a goalless draw with East End Club at the same venue on Saturday afternoon. Bangladesh’s Pakistan tour for two Tests finalized The day's other league match between Bangladesh Boys Club and Motijheel T&T Club also ended in a goalless draw at the same venue Saturday morning.  

He has a broken nose that requires him to wear a vision-limiting face mask. He is managing fitness issues stemming from the end of the club season. He has scored only one goal — from the penalty spot. The European Championship is hardly going to plan for Kylian Mbappé and he knows it. “These are the vagaries of the footballer,” the France captain said after his latest below-par par performance at Euro 2024. He doesn't really care, though, as long as he is lifting the Henri Delaunay Cup in Berlin on July 14. Mbappé was so fatigued, so knocked out of his stride after a couple of bashes to his protective mask, that he asked to come off at halftime of extra time against Portugal in the quarterfinals in Hamburg on Friday. Ronaldo heading home as France beats Portugal 5-3 in a penalty shootout in Euro 2024 quarterfinals It meant giving up a likely penalty in the impending shootout — which France won 5-3 because of Joao Felix's miss — but Mbappé simply couldn't continue. France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed his captain asked to be replaced, for the good of the team. “He is always very honest with me and the team. When he feels he doesn't have the capacity to accelerate then we can't risk it, even a player like Kylian,” Deschamps said. “With all that has happened to him — the issues he has had, the trauma with his nose — he is hanging in there. He is not in his top form. He felt very tired indeed.” Mbappé accepted before the Portugal game that he wasn't in prime shape and needed a “good pre-season to be at 100%.” That will come at Real Madrid, which he has joined after running down his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. Getting his nose broken in France's opening group game at Euro 2024 threw him off kilter, too, restricting a part of his game because of his lack of peripheral vision. Euro 2024: Misfiring England faces on-form Switzerland for a semifinal spot His best performances so far might have come in France's news conferences, where he has been vocal in urging French people to vote in the snap elections while warning about the dangers of the far right getting into power. On the field, Mbappé is part of a France team that heads into a semifinal match against Spain on Tuesday having scored three goals this tournament — two own-goals and his penalty against Austria. No France player has scored a goal from open play yet. Like Greece in 2004, France is looking to reach the final pretty much entirely based on its mean defense and team structure. Except the talent in this France squad far outweighs what was at Greece's disposal 20 years ago. “In the locker room, we weren’t thinking that we still hadn’t scored a goal in the game,” said Mbappé, who netted a hat trick in the 2022 World Cup final. “But yes, we will look into the question (of France's lack of efficiency in attack) while maintaining this defensive solidity. "I've only scored one goal"," he added, “but we’re in the semifinals and I’m very happy.” Argentina reaches Copa America semifinals, beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalty kicks after 1-1 draw Mbappé didn't much like watching the penalty shootout from afar, either. “It’s worse than shooting,” he said, laughing.  

France's heartache in penalty shootouts is over. So is Cristiano Ronaldo's last-ever European Championship. In a clash of the soccer superstars, it was Kylian Mbappé — and not Ronaldo, his idol — advancing to a semifinal match against Spain as France beat Portugal 5-3 in a shootout following a 0-0 draw on Friday. Portugal substitute Joao Felix hit a post with the only miss in the shootout and Theo Hernández showed no sign of pressure by converting the clinching kick into the top corner. It was a record sixth and final European Championship for the 39-year-old Ronaldo, who scored Portugal's first penalty in the shootout and ended up consoling fellow veteran Pepe afterward as the 41-year-old defender cried on his captain's shoulder. “We need to go through this moment of our loss, which is very painful,” Pepe said. Ronaldo's 20-year career in the Euros included the title in 2016 — when Portugal beat France in the final — and it remains to be seen if the five-time world player of the year will continue playing for his country through to the 2026 World Cup, when he will be aged 41. “Everything is too raw,” said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, when asked if that was Ronaldo's last game for his country. “We are suffering a defeat as a team — there are no individual decisions at this point.” The victory ended the recent heartbreak of Mbappé and France in shootouts, having lost in them at their last two major tournaments — in the last 16 at the Euros in 2021 and in the 2022 World Cup final. Before that, the French were also defeated on spot kicks by Italy in the 2006 World Cup final so it had been 26 years — since beating the Italians in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 1998 — that Les Bleus had been victorious in a shootout. Mbappé didn't even take a penalty this time, having been substituted during halftime of extra time following a couple of knocks to his broken nose that was covered by a protective mask. France coach Didier Deschamps said his captain was tired, too. Les Bleus didn't need their star player, as Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Kounde and Bradley Barcola all found the net in the shootout — held at the end housing Portugal's vocal fans — before Hernández's coup de grâce set off jubilant scenes for the French inside the stadium in Hamburg. “It wasn’t easy," France goalkeeper Mike Maignan said. “We didn’t always play that great, it was a complicated game. “We got to the penalty shootout and didn’t waver. We can be proud of ourselves.” France will play Spain in the semifinals after its extra-time win over Germany in Stuttgart earlier Friday, with Les Bleus staying on course for a third European Championship title after 1984 and 2000. Deschamps' team has reached the last four despite no France player having scored from open play so far in the tournament. Fortunately for Les Bleus, they have been excellent at the other end, conceding just one goal — a retaken penalty by Poland's Robert Lewandowski in the group stage. “We are solid and exemplary in defense and that is essential at a major tournament,” Deschamps said. "When you don’t score a lot of goals, it’s best not to concede a lot of goals, either. “But we need to score more goals .. we are at the mercy of our opponents.” Portugal exited having failed to score in either of its knockout games — the team beat Slovenia on penalties in the last 16 — and its final group match, leaving Martinez plenty of questions to answer. “From our side, we deserved to win,” the Portugal coach said. “But we are talking playing against the best players in Europe. It’s a sad night.”

Spain and its fans celebrated as if they’d won the European Championship. After eliminating tournament host Germany in a thrilling quarterfinal, Luis de la Fuente's team has a great chance to lift the trophy in Berlin next week. Spain snatched a 2-1 win in extra time on Friday thanks to substitute Mikel Merino's header in the 119th minute. Merino celebrated by running around the corner flag, mimicking his father Miguel Merino's celebration after he scored in the same stadium for Osasuna in the UEFA Cup against Stuttgart in 1991. “I knew that there was very little time left and that it was one of the last attacks we would have,” Merino said. “I didn’t believe that it had gone in until a couple of seconds later. When you get 30 slaps on your back it sinks in real quick. “I am very happy for me and the entire team. It all comes down to one moment (the goal), but there is so much work behind it, all the training, the hope, the faith, and the belief in ourselves.” Extra time came only after Florian Wirtz’s equalizer in the last minute of regulation. Dani Olmo, who set up Merino’s winner, netted the opener early in the second half. All three goals came from substitutes. Spain defender Dani Carvajal was sent off late in extra time for a second yellow card and will be suspended from Tuesday’s semifinal against France. Fellow defender Robin le Normand will also miss that match after picking up another booking. France knocked out Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo in a penalty shootout 5-3. Spain eliminated the host of a major tournament for the first time in 10 attempts. Germany players were morose and coach Julian Nagelsmann looked on with his hands on hips and his face etched with disappointment. “We were so close, that’s what makes it so bitter,” Germany midfielder Toni Kroos said after the final match of his excellent career. The 2014 World Cup winner had said he was retiring when Germany's campaign ended. “We all had a big goal that we wanted to achieve together,” Kroos added. “And this dream we all had has been simply shattered now.” Teammates who might also have played their last international included captain İlkay Gündoğan, Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer. Despite the disappointment and the “hurt,” Nagelsmann managed to crack a joke during his news conference: “It’s hurting also that we have to wait two years to become world champion." The quarterfinal pitted the Euros' only three-time champions, the teams who have played the best soccer at Euro 2024, and it didn't disappoint. There was a blistering pace from the start with crunching tackles and end-to-end action. Kroos was lucky not to be booked for a mistimed challenge that upended Spain midfielder Pedri. Another hefty challenge moments later forced Pedri to leave injured and in tears. He was replaced by Olmo in the eighth minute, the fastest replacement in Euros history. “Pedri is in pain. It deserved a red card," De la Fuente said. He added it was too early to know if the young Barcelona midfielder would recover by Tuesday. From the resulting free kick, Lamine Yamal almost became the youngest ever goal-scorer at the tournament but the 16-year-old’s effort flashed past the right post. Yamal did have a hand in the opener as he cut inside from the right and rolled the ball across for Olmo to hit it first time into the bottom left corner. It was Yamal’s third assist of the tournament, the most by a teenager at a Euros. Substitute Nico Füllkrug hit the post in a late desperate onslaught by Germany, which was rewarded just in the nick of time. Joshua Kimmich nodded Maximilian Mittelstädt’s cross back to Wirtz, whose effort went in off the far post. The teams had more chances to win in extra time and Germany was incensed in the first period when referee Anthony Taylor didn’t give a penalty after Jamal Musiala’s shot smashed against Marc Cucurella’s hand. Nagelsmann called for a change in rules for handball so that a penalty would be given if the shot was on target, removing the interpretation of intent. “There are 50 robots that bring us coffee, so there must be an AI that calculates where the ball will go,” he said. Just as a shootout was looming, Merino leapt high to head in Olmo's cross and send the Spanish fans behind the goal into a frenzy. “They always tell you to enjoy the moment, but when you get to minute 105 it is impossible not to think about the penalties," Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón said. "And as the minutes ticked down, I couldn’t help but think that (Kai) Havertz, Füllkrug, and Toni were out there. Mikel saved us from a real bind.”

England will play Switzerland in the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 on Saturday. England faced criticism from fans who thought the team underperformed in its extra-time win over Slovakia, while Switzerland exceeded expectations by knocking out defending champion Italy. The winner will play either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semifinals. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. local (1600 GMT) in Duesseldorf. Here’s what to know about the match: Match facts — England is playing its fourth quarterfinal game at a major tournament under England manager Gareth Southgate and won two of the previous three. Southgate's cautious tactics have brought hefty criticism from England fans, some of whom threw plastic cups at him in the group stage. — Jude Bellingham's last-minute overhead kick to send England's last-16 game with Slovakia to extra time was one of the most dramatic moments of Euro 2024 so far. Defender John Stones said Thursday that surviving that brush with elimination gave the team new confidence. Argentina reaches Copa America semifinals, beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalty kicks after 1-1 draw — Switzerland coach Murat Yakin has won a reputation for smart tactics at Euro 2024, especially by outclassing an Italy team packed with more famous names in the round of 16. — England is playing two days after a general election ended 14 years of rule by the Conservative Party. It didn't make waves in the England camp, which Stones called a “politics-free zone." Team news — Bellingham is available after he avoided an immediate ban from UEFA, which investigated a gesture he made during the Slovakia game. UEFA fined Bellingham 30,000 euros ($32,500) and gave him a one-game ban that only takes effect if he breaks the rules again during a one-year probationary period. He has denied he was mocking Slovakia when he seemed to gesture toward his crotch. — England defender Marc Guéhi is suspended after picking up a second booking against Slovakia. Ezri Konsa, who came off the bench in extra time in that game, is the favorite to replace him in the center of defense alongside Stones. — Stones wore heavy strapping on his right knee in training Wednesday but said Thursday he's fit to play. — Bellingham, forward Phil Foden and full back Kieran Trippier are among five England players who would miss the semifinals if booked against Switzerland. Captain Granit Xhaka is one of four Swiss players in the same situation. By the numbers — Southgate is marking his 100th game in charge and it could be his last. His contract expires after the tournament. — Switzerland hasn't beaten England for 43 years. Harry Kane scored the winning goal when England had a comeback 2-1 win the last time they played in a 2022 friendly. Ronaldo vs. Mbappé: Clash of generations at Euro 2024 has just been given some extra spice — It's only the third time the Swiss team is playing in the quarterfinals of a major tournament. It has yet to reach a semifinal. A penalty-shootout loss to Spain in the quarterfinals of Euro 2020 was its best European Championship showing. What they’re saying — “The other night, I thought we were going home after 60 minutes of the game. To change the mindset of us all and keep that belief and faith, it’s got a lot of power behind that for ourselves, other teams. Everyone watching at home knows that we’re there to do it right until the last minute, literally. And, I think we should take great confidence from that.” — England defender John Stones. — “Every team participating in the Euro wants to win, and so do we. But in the end, we are having both feet on the ground. We know who we are and where we’re coming from. We know our basics. That is keeping us in the tournament until now.” — Switzerland midfielder Steven Zuber.  

Emiliano Martínez saved Argentina's bid for a second straight Copa America title after the Albiceleste conceded a tying goal to Ecuador in second-half injury time. Martínez stopped shootout attempts by Ángel Mena and Alan Minda, and Argentina advanced to the Copa America semifinals with a 4-2 victory on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw Thursday night. “I wasn’t ready to go home,” Martínez said. “This team deserved to advance. They complicated us a lot. They played a great match, very physical. We knew they were one of the top rivals in Copa America.” Lionel Messi, returning from a leg injury that caused him to miss Argentina’s group-stage finale, put the first Albiceleste penalty kick off the crossbar, but the Albiceleste recovered and Nicolás Otamendi beat Alexander Domínguez with the winning kick. “Our goalkeeper came up clutch," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said through an interpreter. Seeking its third straight major title, Argentina advanced to the semifinals for the fifth straight Copa America and will play Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina is looking to win a record 16th Copa America championship. US eliminated from Copa America with 1-0 loss to Uruguay, increasing pressure to fire Berhalter Playing in front of a pro-Argentinian crowd of 69,456 at NRG Stadium, Lisandro Martínez gave the Albiceleste a 35th-minute lead following Messi's corner kick. Ecuador’s Enner Valencia put a penalty kick off a post in the 62nd minute after a hand ball by Rodrigo De Paul, but Kevin Rodríguez tied it in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. With Argentina going first in the shootout, Messi tried a Panenka and hit the crossbar. Martínez, the goalkeeper in Argentina’s shootout win over France in the 2022 World Cup final, stopped Mena by diving to his left and batting the ball with his trailing hand. He denied Minda by leaping right, then followed the save with a short dance. Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister converted to put Argentina ahead 2-0, and John Yeboah made Ecuador’s third attempt. Gonzalo Montiel gave Argentina a 3-1 lead, Jordy Caicedo converted to keep Ecuador alive and Otamendi got the winner, tucking the ball inside the post just past the outstretched arm of Domínguez. Argentina coach Scaloni suspended from Copa America match vs. Peru for being repeatedly late Despite the victory, Scaloni said he “did not enjoy the win.” “We have reached the semis, and given the great level of performance of every national team, I think it’s a great achievement," he said. Lisandro Martínez had put Argentina ahead in the 35th minute with a header after Mac Allister headed on Messi’s corner kick. Rodríguez scored when he headed in John Yeboah’s cross. “The quarterfinals had us playing against the most difficult opponent, and I thought we delivered well,” Ecuador coach Félix Sánchez Bas said through an interpreter. “We showed this team can compete against any opponent.” Under Copa America regulations, the match went straight from the end of regulation to a shootout, without extra time. Messi, who sustained the injury on June 25 against Chile, got a loud ovation when he entered the field 45 minutes before kickoff. He remained without a goal in three Copa games this year. “I think he finished the match well,” Scaloni said. “We asked him how he was feeling for the last time four minutes before the end." Lionel Messi to rest for Argentina's final Copa America group match against Peru with leg injury

Jatrabari Jhotika Sangsad made a good start in the Bashundhara Group Senior (First) Division Football League 2023 -24 beating Mugda Somaj Kallyan O Krira Sangsad by 2-1 goals at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur on Thursday. Kamran Sheikh scored first for Jatrabari JS in the 24th minute (1-0) while Mahbubul Biswas levelled the margin for Mugda Somaj Kallyan in the 39th minute (1-1). BFF U-18 Football: Dhaka Abahani Ltd earn 4th consecutive win beating Rahmatganj MFS 4-1 Ramjan Hawlader scored the match-deciding goal for Jatrabari JS in the 53rd minute (2-1). Manager of Jatrabari JS Mohammad Niaz received a direct red card in the match 

Dhaka Abahani Limited earned the 4th consecutive victory in the BFF Under -18 Football League' 2023-24 outplaying Rahmatganj MFS by 4-1 goals in the 4th round match at the Mohammadpur Physical Education College ground on Thursday. Earlier, Dhaka Abahani made a good start in the league beating Fortis FC by 2-0 goals, defeating Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-1 goals in the 2nd match and Brothers Union Club by 2-0 goals in their 3rd match. The day's match between Abahani and Rahmatganj was locked in 1-1 goals in the first half. Mahedi Hassan put the sky-blue Dhabmondi outfit Abahani ahead in the 34th minute (1-0) while Raihan levelled the margin for the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj in the added time (45+1 minute) of the first half. BFF U-16 Football League: Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club earn 2nd consecutive victory Sakib Hossain Mollah, Yeasin Arafat Sifat and Samuel Raksam scored one goal each in the 57th, 78th and 90+3 minutes respectively to guide Dhaka Abahani to a comfortable victory. . In the day's other match, Dhaka Mohammedan SC shared points with Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club as their encounters ended in a 1-1 draw at the Practice ground of Bashundhara Kings Arena Thursday afternoon. Ariful put Sheikh Jamal DC ahead in the 34th minute from a penalty (1-0) while Yousuf restored the parity for the black and whites Mohammedan in the 40th minute (1-1). In the day's other match, coming from behind, Fortis FC beat Bangladesh Police FC by 2-1 goals at the Armed Police Battalion ground in Uttara Thursday afternoon. Bangladesh Women's team to play two FIFA International matches against Bhutan in July Sonet Shek put Police team ahead in the 14th minute (1-0) while Swe Mong Sing Marma equalised the margin for Fortis FC in the 24th minute (1-1). Mohammad Shanto scored the match-winning goal for Fortis FC in the 70th minute (2-1).

Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Kylian Mbappé. A clash of soccer icons. A clash of generations. They’ll go head to head when Portugal plays France in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals on Friday, and this heavyweight meeting might have got just that little bit bigger. “It is, without doubt, my last European Championship,” the 39-year-old Ronaldo said after his tearful, emotionally charged performance in Portugal’s penalty-shootout victory over Slovenia in the last 16. That may have just confirmed what many were presuming anyway. Still, there’s now a definitive specter of finality to Ronaldo’s long, headline-grabbing Euros adventure that could be brought to an end by Mbappé, the heir apparent to Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after their long-time dominance of the sport. Mbappé grew up with pictures of Ronaldo on his bedroom wall. A photo is inevitably doing the rounds on social media of what is apparently their first ever meeting, at Real Madrid’s training ground at Valdebebas in 2012 when a 13-year-old Mbappé stood beside Ronaldo after a visit to the Spanish club where his sporting hero was the star player. In 2020, Mbappé posted on Twitter, now X, that Ronaldo was his “idol.” Ronaldo says he is playing his 'last European Championship' And only a few months ago, Ronaldo reacted to Mbappé clinching a highly anticipated move to Madrid by writing on Instagram: “Excited to see you light up the Bernabeu.” That Mbappé can now end Ronaldo’s European Championship career — who knows, it might even be his last ever major tournament — adds an intriguing subplot to a match that will be watched around the world. “Let’s go, let’s go to war,” Ronaldo said of the match against France, whom he considers as the top contender at Euro 2024 along with Spain. He said he was driven to tears against Slovenia not at the prospect of elimination but because his main motivation these days is “making people happy” and he had a penalty saved in extra time. “I’m moved by all that football means — by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm for seeing my supporters, my family, the affection people have for me. “It’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?” Ronaldo heads into Friday’s game having failed to score in eight straight matches at major tournaments — Portugal’s last four at the 2022 World Cup and its four games at Euro 2024 — and with growing concerns about whether he deserves what appears to be a guaranteed spot in the team under Roberto Martinez. Mbappé and France into Euro 2024 quarterfinals after Muani's late goal beats Belgium 1-0 Things haven’t been straightforward for Mbappé, either, at Euro 2024. He sustained a broken nose in France’s group opener against Austria and has since been wearing a vision-limiting protective facemask during games. Mbappé has scored one goal and that was from the penalty spot against Poland – it’s the only goal scored by a France player at these Euros. “He will have to get used to it,” France coach Didier Deschamps said of Mbappé and his mask, “because, to protect (his nose), he will have to wear it for a few weeks — or even a few months.” Few would have predicted the top scorer at the last World Cup (Mbappé) and the record scorer in men’s international soccer (Ronaldo) to have just one goal between them heading into the quarterfinals. But no one will be surprised if they come alive in Hamburg, with the pressure on and the occasion so big. Mbappé, remember, scored a hat trick in the World Cup final and has been logging Ronaldo-esque scoring numbers in the first part of his career. He's already on 48 goals for France at the age of 25, and is also on 48 goals in the Champions League from 73 appearances. He is chasing down Ronaldo's scoring records at both international (130) and Champions League (140) level and will likely only succeed by showing the same undimmed passion and desire as the player he used to copy as a kid. Lautaro Martínez scores twice and Argentina playing without Messi beats Peru 2-0 to end group play As their countries' respective captains, they'll shake hands and embrace before kickoff. You can bet they'll do the same after the match. By that time, one of them will be on his way home. For Mbappé, there will surely be more European Championships down the road. For Ronaldo, this could be the end of the road.  

Badda Jagoroni Sangsad made a good start in the Bashundhara Group Senior (First) Division Football League 2023 -24 beating Sadharan Bima Krira Sangha by 3-0 goals at the Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here on Wednesday. Sr Division Football : Arambagh KS make flying start outplaying Swadhinata KS 4-0 Midfielder Saiful Islam put Badda Jagoroni ahead in the 21st minute (1-0), Arif Islam doubled the margin in the 48th minute (2-0) while Amir Hamza sealed the fate of the match scoring the 3rd goal for Badda Jagoroni in the 63rd minute (3-0). Sadharan Bima custodian Munim Howlader got a marching order in the match after receiving a direct red card.