United News of Bangladesh

FIFA has announced the creation of a peace prize, which it plans to award at the World Cup draw on December 5 in Washington. The award, named the FIFA Peace Prize, will “recognize exceptional actions for peace,” the governing body of soccer said on Wednesday. “In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it is essential to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of those who work to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. FIFA added that the award, which Infantino will present this year, will be given annually “on behalf of fans from all around the world.” The announcement comes shortly after President Donald Trump, who shares a close relationship with Infantino, was passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize last month despite lobbying efforts by fellow Republicans, world leaders, and Trump himself. Infantino and Trump were both scheduled to speak at an unrelated event in Miami on Wednesday. FIFA has also strengthened its links to Trump by appointing his daughter, Ivanka, to the board of a $100 million education project partly funded by 2026 World Cup ticket sales.

Kylian Mbappe’s dazzling form this season met a firm halt at Anfield on Tuesday night as Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in the Champions League, leaving the French forward struggling to make an impact once again on Merseyside. For the second consecutive year, Mbappe endured a frustrating night at the iconic venue, unable to replicate the explosive performances that have defined his campaign so far. “We were lacking that threat in the final third,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso admitted after the match, though he avoided mentioning Mbappe by name. Arriving in England with 21 goals in 17 games this season, Mbappe was widely expected to be the difference-maker. Instead, he managed just three off-target attempts, while his attacking partner Vinicius Junior also found himself effectively contained by a disciplined Liverpool defense. Liverpool coach Arne Slot credited his side’s preparation and focus on neutralizing Madrid’s attacking duo. “I told the players before the game that Madrid had scored 26 goals in La Liga and Mbappe and Vinicius contributed to 24 of them. You can’t stop them completely, but you can do some things right,” he said. Mbappe’s best chance came in the second half after Alexis Mac Allister’s 61st-minute header put Liverpool ahead. The French star shaped to curl a shot into the top corner but sent it wide of the post. It was a familiar disappointment for Mbappe, who also struggled at Anfield last season — missing a penalty in a 2-0 defeat during the same competition. Madrid’s failure to score marked the first time this season the Spanish giants were held goalless and only their second defeat across all competitions. Anfield’s electric atmosphere played its part once again. “I was impressed by the atmosphere throughout the 90 minutes,” Slot said, as the home crowd roared Liverpool to a hard-fought victory. Alonso, meanwhile, reflected on what went wrong: “We competed well. What was lacking today was perhaps the ability to hurt them in the final third and be a real threat.” Source: AP

Ultimately, it was not about who returned to Anfield but what returned. An in-form Real Madrid team came to the Reds’ home after a year, but left with a similar outcome due to the same man—Alexis Mac Allister. Mac Allister had opened the scoring last November in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over the Spanish giants. This time, his goal was again the only difference, although Xabi Alonso’s team entered the pitch in strong recent form against a Liverpool side experiencing a turbulent period. With this, the Reds handed the Madrid giants their first defeat in the UCL this season. Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday night. Alexis Mac Allister scored the decisive goal in the 61st minute, sending the stadium into euphoria. Although Liverpool were behind in possession for most of the match, they outclassed Los Blancos in attacking play. Out of 17 shots, they managed nine on target, while Real Madrid registered only two shots on goal from eight attempts. Luis Diaz both hero and villain against PSG as Bayern extend winning streak to 16 Despite suffering six defeats in their last eight matches across all competitions, Liverpool saw a dramatic shift in momentum right after kickoff. Xabi Alonso’s team were a distant second. Star players such as Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior were largely confined to the margins throughout the game. Only Thibaut Courtois’ commanding display prevented the home side from securing a more emphatic victory. For almost an hour, it seemed that Liverpool’s ghost from the 2022 Champions League final, Courtois, would haunt them again. The Belgian goalkeeper appeared to be a wall in front of the goal, denying Liverpool’s chances one after another like a superhuman. Courtois’ resistance was finally broken after Bellingham picked up a yellow card for fouling Ryan Gravenberch on the right. Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso termed that incident after the match “Real’s biggest failing on the night,” as it proved costly for the 15-time UCL holders. In the 61st minute, Szoboszlai delivered a powerful set piece into the box that connected perfectly with Mac Allister. The Argentine midfielder finally broke through the wall, his powerful header slipping between Courtois’ gloves and into the net, sending the packed Anfield crowd into celebration.

Bayern Munich maintained their flawless start to the season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), with Luis Diaz having a bittersweet experience. The Colombian winger scored a brace, Bayern’s only goals of the night, before seeing a red card that left the Bavarians struggling throughout the entire second half. In an exciting clash at Parc des Princes on Tuesday night, Vincent Kompany’s side won the tie 2-1. The hosts’ only goal came from João Neves in the 74th minute. With the victory, the German giants have now won all 16 of their matches this season. Bayern had previously suffered a 2-0 defeat to PSG in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup held in the United States last July. Since then, they have not experienced such a setback. PSG, on the other hand, tasted their first defeat after three consecutive wins in the UCL this season. Mikel Merino’s brace helps Arsenal maintain perfect UCL run Bayern started the game brightly and went ahead by capitalizing on their first notable chance of the match in the fourth minute. Diaz entered the box and fired past goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier after Michael Olise’s initial shot was blocked, giving Bayern an early lead. PSG responded in the 22nd minute, but Ousmane Dembélé’s effort was ruled offside after a VAR check. Moments later, Dembélé was substituted due to discomfort in his leg and replaced by Lee Kang-in. In the 31st minute, Serge Gnabry’s shot from outside the box struck the post, and Bayern capitalized a minute later to double their advantage. PSG defender Marquinhos lost control of the ball outside the box, allowing Diaz to carry it forward and beat the goalkeeper for his second goal of the night. The hosts tried hard to reduce the deficit before the break, but it was Bayern who could have extended the lead to 4-0 as they narrowly missed a couple of opportunities. However, just before halftime, the visitors were reduced to ten men as Diaz was shown a direct red card after a lengthy VAR review for a foul on PSG midfielder Achraf Hakimi. With a man advantage, PSG became dominant after the break. It was an all-PSG show in the second half, as they controlled 87 percent of possession and produced 19 shots, eight of which on target. Despite being a man down, Bayern held their composure, relying on key interventions from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. In the 68th minute, Neuer made a crucial save to deny a long-range effort from Vitinha. But the German goalkeeper had to surrender in the 74th minute, when João Neves expertly converted a cross from outside the six-yard box, giving the home side hope of a comeback. That was all for the hosts, as PSG could not find an equalizer despite continued pressure in front of Bayern’s box. Liverpool hand Real Madrid first UCL defeate despite Courtois’ resistance With the hard-fought victory, Bayern sit top of the table with 12 points from four matches. Arsenal sit second with the same tally. In other contests of the night, the Gunners put three past Slavia Prague, thanks to a brace from Mikel Merino and a successful penalty by Bukayo Saka. Liverpool handed Real Madrid their first defeat in the Champions League, while nine-man Tottenham Hotspur continued their unbeaten run in the UCL by demolishing FC Copenhagen 4-0. Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways by beating Union Saint-Gilloise 3-1 after a heavy defeat at the Emirates Stadium last month, while two Italian sides — Napoli and Juventus — were held at home to a goalless draw against Eintracht Frankfurt and a 1-1 draw with Sporting CP respectively.

Arsenal continued their superb form in the Champions League with a commanding 3-0 win over Slavia Prague on Tuesday night, thanks to a brace from Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino and an early strike from Bukayo Saka. Playing away at the Czech champions’ home ground, Mikel Arteta’s men took control of the game after a composed start. Arsenal recorded their first shot on target in the 20th minute and capitalized on mounting pressure just 12 minutes later. From a fifth consecutive corner, Gabriel Magalhães’ header struck the arm of Slavia midfielder Lukas inside the box. The referee awarded a penalty to the Gunners after checking the touchline monitor, which Saka confidently tucked away to put the visitors ahead at the break. Arsenal doubled the lead within a minute of the restart. Leandro Trossard whipped in a cross from the left towards the edge of the six-yard area, and Merino met it with a superb volley beyond goalkeeper Jakub Markovic. The Premier League side sealed the victory in the 68th minute following a oppositons’ defensive blunder. Declan Rice delivered another teasing ball into the area, and Markovic misjudged its flight, allowing Merino to head in his second goal of the night. In the 72nd minute, Arteta introduced Max Doman for Trossard. At just 15 years and 308 days old, Doman became the youngest player to feature in Champions League history. Slavia Prague, who drew two of their previous three matches, failed to create serious threats in the final stages as Arsenal comfortably saw out the game. The victory extended Arsenal’s flawless run in Group B to four straight wins, taking their tally to 12 points. Arteta’s side also equalled a historic English football record by claiming their eighth successive win in all competitions without conceding a single goal, a record previously achieved only by Preston in 1889 and Liverpool in 1920.

Erling Haaland has played down comparisons between himself and modern football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he is nowhere near their level. But, the striker believes he is in “a good way” to surpass his best tally of 56 goals in a season. The Manchester City forward delivered another masterclass on Sunday as his side beat high-flying Bournemouth 3-1, climbing up to second place in the Premier League after 10 matches. With his brace, Haaland now has 13 Premier League goals this season—more than twice as many as any other player. He also achieved a rare milestone, becoming only the third player ever to score two or more goals in four or more consecutive Premier League home appearances, after Robbie Fowler (4 in 1995–96) and Luis Suárez (5 in 2013). Across all competitions, Haaland has already scored 26 goals in 16 appearances for club and country as of early November, taking his career tally to 327. After the Bournemouth match, City manager Pep Guardiola heaped praise on the 25-year-old striker, comparing him to Argentine legend Lionel Messi and Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo, noting how the two remained consistent over 15 seasons. Asked about Guardiola’s comparison, the Norwegian immediately dismissed the idea: “No, not at all. I am far off. Nobody can get close to them two, so no.” Haaland trails a long way behind the pair’s extraordinary goal totals. Argentina great Messi, 38, has scored 892 career goals, while 40-year-old Portugal icon Ronaldo is on 952 as he continues his pursuit of the 1,000-goal mark. Haaland scored 56 goals in the 2022–23 season, his first at Manchester City following his move from Borussia Dortmund, which remains his most prolific campaign so far. This season, Manchester City could play a maximum of 52 more matches, while Norway could play up to 12 if they reach the FIFA World Cup final, plus additional friendlies yet to be decided. With 98 goals in 107 Premier League appearances, Haaland is closing in on becoming the fastest player to reach a century of goals in English top-flight. Former England captain Alan Shearer set the record at 124 games and sits atop the all-time Premier League charts with 260 goals. Shearer, who played for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, said last month that Haaland has a “brilliant chance” of breaking the record. Asking on that matter Haaland said, “Which record? Not to sound arrogant! I am in a good way but I don't think of this. “Thinking about records I can break is the last thing on my mind, I try to help the team win football games. That is my job and that is my main focus. “I know it's boring, I know you want me to say the complete opposite but that's not how it is. I have to ignore them.” Manchester City host Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in their fourth Champions League group match, with both teams on seven points.    

Real Madrid have been dealt a blow ahead of their Champions League trip to Liverpool, as Argentine winger Franco Mastantuono will miss the match with a groin injury. “Following tests carried out today on Franco Mastantuono by Real Madrid's medical department, the player has been diagnosed with pubalgia. His recovery will be monitored,” the club confirmed on its website. Pubalgia, sometimes referred to as a sports hernia, affects the lower abdomen and groin area and often results from the repeated twisting and turning motions common in football. The condition can be persistent and difficult to treat. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams have both recently struggled with the same issue. While rest can provide temporary relief, symptoms often recur under a heavy playing schedule, and surgery is sometimes required for full recovery. Mastantuono, who joined Madrid from River Plate this summer, is certain to miss Tuesday’s clash at Anfield and is also expected to be sidelined for this weekend’s La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fans received positive news regarding forward Ousmane Dembélé ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. The 28-year-old French international trained with the squad on Monday, suggesting he is fit for Tuesday night’s crucial encounter at the Parc des Princes. However, head coach Luis Enrique remains cautious about the winger’s condition. When asked whether Dembélé could start, Enrique told reporters at a press conference on Monday that he would not take unnecessary risks with any player. “No risk, with any player. But Ousmane is in good condition. He has completed all the training sessions over the past two weeks, he has played, and he’s improving physically. He will play, of course. He is ready for competition. Tomorrow, we will decide how long,” he said. Discussing the importance of the fixture, the Spanish coach said, “Should we evaluate our team? I think not. We deserve some confidence. It’s important to win tomorrow—for the three points, for our group, which is the toughest in the competition, but also because we want to be competitive in every match. It’s important to enjoy it with our supporters.” Enrique added that both sides will stick to their usual playing styles: “Bayern will not change their way of playing. Neither will we.” On the broader significance of the tie, he noted: “All matches are important, but our schedule is very intense and difficult. We must collect points as early as possible. We’ve done it in three matches; we want to do the same tomorrow.” Looking ahead to the key aspects of the match, Enrique said the contest would likely be closely fought: “It’s obvious this kind of match will be balanced. Bayern won’t change their style, neither will we—and maybe we’ll do even more because we’re at home. I think we can overcome their pressing and cause them problems. They can strike hard too. There won’t be a big difference. It will come down to details—that’s football. Whoever controls them best will make the difference. Both teams will give everything. I hope our supporters have a great time.” Meanwhile, PSG midfielder Désiré Doué, who recently suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh, has been ruled out of the match.    

Erling Haaland delivered another masterclass on Sunday as Manchester City beat high-flying Bournemouth 3-1, climbing into second place in the Premier League. The Norwegian striker opened the scoring in the 17th minute and doubled the lead in the 33rd. In between, Bournemouth’s USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams pulled one back in the 25th minute, capitalizing on a mistake by Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, Nico O’Reilly sealed the victory for the hosts with a goal in the 60th minute of the game. With his brace, Haaland has moved onto 13 goals in the Premier League this season—more than twice any other player. He also achieved a rare record, becoming only the third player ever to score two or more goals in four or more consecutive Premier League home appearances, after Robbie Fowler (4 in 1995-96) and Luis Suárez (5 in 2013). Barcelona narrow gap with Real Madrid with a 3-1 win over Elche Arsenal remain well ahead at the summit of the table with 25 points from 10 games, but this win keeps Pep Guardiola's side within touching distance. The gap is now six points, while Bournemouth drop to fourth in the table with 18 points. The gap is now six points, while Bournemouth drop to fourth with 18 points. Liverpool have collected the same number of points as the Cherries but sit third due to goal difference. The Blue half of Manchester will host Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League match on Wednesday before facing Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Bournemouth, meanwhile, will look to return to winning ways on Sunday at Villa Park.

Barcelona returned to winning ways after a frustrating 2-1 defeat in El Clásico last week, securing a 3-1 victory over Elche on Sunday. The win brought Barcelona within five points of arch-rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table. The Catalans went ahead with two quick goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres in the 9th and 12th minutes respectively. Rafa Mir pulled one back for Elche three minutes before halftime, before Marcus Rashford sealed the victory for the Blaugrana in the 61st minute. Injury-plagued Barcelona had struggled to show character at the Santiago Bernabéu last week, but this time Hansi Flick’s men responded in style. Their intent to return to form was evident from the opening whistle, as they dominated the early stages. In the ninth minute, Alejandro Balde intercepted a misplaced pass in midfield and sent a precise through ball into the penalty area. Yamal controlled it between two defenders and fired a powerful shot past the goalkeeper to give Barcelona the lead. Barely two minutes later, Barcelona doubled their advantage. From the left flank, Fermín López’s low cross found unmarked Ferran Torres inside the six-yard box, and the winger calmly slotted home with his right foot. It was Ferran’s 50th goal wearing the Barca shirt. López, who had scored Barcelona’s only goal against Real Madrid the previous week, almost found the net again in the 33rd minute with a curling long-range effort that was superbly pushed away by the Elche goalkeeper. After spending most of the first half defending, Elche pulled one back in the 42nd minute with their first meaningful attack. Álvaro Núñez led a counter-attack and set up Rafa Mir, who drove into the box unchallenged and finished clinically into the far corner.