United News of Bangladesh

Lionel Messi continued his remarkable form with a fifth consecutive multi-goal match, leading Inter Miami to a 2-1 win over Nashville SC on Saturday night and halting Nashville's 15-game unbeaten streak. With this victory, Miami (11-3-5) secured its fifth straight win and climbed to fifth place in the Supporters’ Shield standings, reinforcing its pursuit of back-to-back league titles. Messi, who made history earlier in the week as the first player in MLS history with four straight multi-goal games, added to that tally against Nashville. The 38-year-old Argentine star opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a low free-kick that curved through the defensive wall. Although Nashville drew level early in the second half with a header from Hany Mukhtar, Messi restored Miami’s lead in the 62nd minute, intercepting a poor pass from Nashville keeper Joe Willis and calmly slotting home. Messi now boasts 16 goals in 16 MLS matches this season, tying Nashville’s Sam Surridge (16 goals in 21 matches) as the league’s top scorer. Fernández warns of heat ahead of Chelsea-PSG final Nashville (12-5-5), previously unbeaten since mid-April across all competitions, had surged to third place in the Supporters’ Shield race. The streak was the longest active run in MLS and marked the best stretch in the club’s six-year history. Messi's first goal brought his total to 55 goals in 66 appearances for Inter Miami. Source: Agency 

As Chelsea prepares to face Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s Club World Cup final, midfielder Enzo Fernández raised concerns over extreme heat conditions and urged FIFA to reconsider scheduling afternoon matches during next year’s World Cup. “Honestly, the heat is incredible,” Fernández said on Friday. “The other day I got a little dizzy during a play. I had to lie down on the ground because I was really dizzy. Playing in this temperature is very dangerous.” Chelsea and PSG will kick off at 3 p.m. EDT at MetLife Stadium, which will also host the 2026 World Cup final. Forecasts project a temperature of 83°F (28°C), but humidity will make it feel closer to 91°F (33°C). “The speed of the game is not the same,” Fernández added. “Everything becomes very slow. Well, let’s hope that next year they change the schedule, at least so that it remains a beautiful and attractive football spectacle.” Chelsea captain Reece James echoed the challenge but expressed some optimism. “The game will be harder for the team that doesn’t have the ball,” he said. “I think we’ve played in it a fair amount now, so I’d say we’re slowly, slowly getting used to it.” Leverkusen sign US midfielder Malik Tillman in record deal Both teams were excused from media duties on Saturday by FIFA, which has also slashed ticket prices throughout the tournament. The lowest-priced tickets have now dropped from $330 to $199.60 ahead of the final. PSG enters the match aiming to complete a historic quadruple, having already secured the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, defeating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final. “We really want to go grab this title and this would make it an absolutely perfect season, which would be very hard to replicate,” said PSG captain Marquinhos. “We really want to make history.” Chelsea is looking for its second Club World Cup title after winning in 2021. The Blues have had an extra day of rest after defeating Fluminense 2-0 on Tuesday, while PSG thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 the following day. Despite a comparatively modest season — finishing fourth in the Premier League, and early exits from the FA Cup and League Cup — Chelsea lifted the UEFA Conference League title. “Everyone is picking up our opposition,” said James. “We are preparing right and we are going to win.” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged PSG’s dominance: “I agree with most of the people that they say that they are the best team in Europe, the best team in the world, and the reason why is because they are showing this — they show in France, they show in the Champions League, they are showing in this competition.”

Bayer Leverkusen has signed United States international Malik Tillman from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven for a club-record transfer fee, the Bundesliga side announced Saturday. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder signed a contract with Leverkusen through June 2030. According to German sports magazine Kicker, the club is paying PSV a fixed sum of €35 million ($41 million), making Tillman the most expensive incoming player in Leverkusen’s history. “We’ve gained another strong and very dangerous attacking player,” said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes. “He can play in both the number 10 and the number 8 positions in midfield. Malik is an absolute top signing for us.” Born in Nuremberg, Germany, to a German mother and an American father, Tillman progressed through the youth ranks at Bayern Munich after moving from Greuther Fürth in 2015. He made only seven senior appearances for Bayern before joining Scottish side Rangers on loan in the 2022–23 season. Nottingham forest sign Brazilian defender Jair Cunha from Botafogo The following year, Tillman joined PSV Eindhoven on loan with an option to buy. PSV later activated that clause, making the transfer permanent. He scored 16 goals and assisted five more in 34 competitive appearances last season, playing a key role in PSV’s Eredivisie title-winning campaign. Leverkusen is undergoing a major squad rebuild this summer following the departure of star midfielder Florian Wirtz to Liverpool for a Bundesliga-record fee. Head coach Xabi Alonso also left for Real Madrid, while captain Jonathan Tah joined Bayern Munich and Jeremie Frimpong also signed with Liverpool. Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has taken over as head coach, with Leverkusen investing in a number of promising young players. On Friday, the club announced the signing of 18-year-old Cameroonian forward Christian Kofane from Spanish side Albacete. Other new arrivals include English defender Jarell Quansah from Liverpool, Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Brentford, French youth international Axel Tape from Paris Saint-Germain, and attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza from Hertha Berlin.

Premier League side Nottingham Forest on Friday announced the signing of Brazilian centre-back Jair Cunha from Botafogo. Cunha becomes the second Botafogo player to join Forest this week, following striker Igor Jesus, who signed with the club on Saturday after impressing in the ongoing Club World Cup. The 20-year-old defender has signed a five-year contract with Forest, though financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Tottenham signs Ghana’s Kudus from West Ham, eyes Forest’s Gibbs-White Both Cunha and Jesus helped Botafogo reach the round of 16 at the tournament in the United States. Cunha netted one goal, while Jesus scored twice, including the decisive strike against Paris Saint-Germain. Cunha began his senior career at Santos, where he had played since the age of 10, making 24 appearances before joining Botafogo in February. “Jair has flourished in Brazil and now has new ambitions as he moves to the Premier League," said Ross Wilson, Nottingham Forest’s Chief Football Officer. Nottingham Forest is set to return to European competition for the first time since 1996, having secured a seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season.

A brilliant hattrick by striker Sagorika guided defending champions Bangladesh to make a flying start  will start in the four-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-20 Women’s Championship’2025 crushing Sri Lanka by 9-1 goals in the opening match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena Friday afternoon Favorite Bangladesh clearly dominated the first by 3-0 goals in a comparatively water soaked ground. In the day's opener, Sagorika made the first hattrick of the tournament scoring three goals, Munki Akter struck twice while Sapna Rani, Rupa Akhter, Shikha Akhter and Shanti Mardi scored one each for Bangladesh   Sri Lankan team scored a consolation goal in the added time of the match . Sapna Rani put Bangladesh ahead in the very 2nd minute (2-0), Munki Akhter doubled the Bangladesh margin in the 5th minute while Sagorika scored the 3rd goal in the 37th minute to lead the first half by 3-0 goals. SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship’2025 begins here on Friday Munki Akter scored her 2nd and team's 4th goal in the 48th minute, Sinha Jahan Shikha scored the 5th goal in the 50th minute , Sagorika scored her 2nd and the Bangladesh 6th goal in the 53rd minute. Sagorika completed the first hattrick of the tournament scoring her 3rd and team's 7th goal in the 58th minute, Ripa Akter scored the 8th goal in the 86th minute and Shanti Mardi sealed the fate of the match in the added time (90+4) of the match In the day's other opening day's fixture, Nepal will encounter Bhutan at  7 pm local time at the same venue. Four South Asian nations –Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh-- are taking part  in the 11-day meet on double league basis, organised by South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) under the auspices of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). Afeida Khondakar, who captained Bangladesh Women’s team to qualify for the first-ever final round berth of the AFC Women’s Asia Cup recently, also leading the Bangladesh team in the ensuing SAFF U-20 Women’s championship and made a flying start in the opener. In the other double league basis matches, Bangladesh will play Nepal on July 13, Bhutan on July 15, again Bhutan on July 17, Sri Lanka on July 19 and Nepal on July 21. After the league basis matches, top team will be the champions Bangladesh and India emerged joint champions in the last version of the meet in Dhaka in 2024 after playing 1-1 draw in the schedule time and 11-11 goals draw in penalty shootout in the final. But, India did not compete this time as they withdrew their team in last moment.

Tottenham Hotspur has signed Ghanaian forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United, the club confirmed on Thursday. Meanwhile, reports suggest the North London side is also close to securing Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. While the club did not reveal the financial terms of Kudus’ deal, British media reported the transfer fee to be around £55 million ($75 million). The 24-year-old attacker netted 19 goals in 80 appearances during his two seasons at West Ham, having arrived from Dutch club Ajax. Kudus expressed enthusiasm about working with new Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank, stating, “The most important part of why I came here is the project and how the manager sees that I can develop under him. I have seen the amount of talent he has developed to become great players, and that is a big sign of why I wanted to work under him as well.” João Pedro nets twice against former club as Chelsea reach Club World Cup final Tottenham’s rebuild under Frank could continue with the addition of Gibbs-White, who is reportedly undergoing a medical ahead of a potential £60 million ($81.5 million) move. The 24-year-old was a key figure for Forest last season, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists in 34 league matches, helping the club qualify for European competition for the first time since 1996. Source: Agency 

Defending champions Bangladesh will start their campaign in the four-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-20 Women’s Championship’2025 taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match on Friday (July 11) on way to their mission of retaining the title. The match will kick-off at 3 pm local time at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital Nepal will encounter Bhutan in the other opening day’s fixture at 7 pm local time at the same venue. Four South Asian nations –Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh-- will compete in the 11-day meet on double league basis, organised by South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) under the auspices of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). All the four participating team made their final practices at the different city venues on Thursday Afeida Khondakar, who captained Bangladesh Women’s team to qualify for the first-ever final round berth of the AFC Women’s Asia Cup recently, will also lead the Bangladesh team in the ensuing SAFF U-20 Women’s championship. SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship’2025 begins here on Friday Seven senior players of the recently concluded AFC Women’s Asia Cup, except Ritu Porna Chakma, Tohura Khatun and Shamsunnahar Junior were included in the Bangladesh team for the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship. In a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Bangladesh captain and head coach Peter Butler expressed their high hope to retain SAFF Women’s title giving their respect to other participating teams. The captains and head coaches of Sri Lanka and Bhutan teams mentioned Bangladesh team is the favorite in the tournament while Nepalese team expressed their determination to battle for the title. Mbappé withdraws harassment case against PSG, pursues reconciliation Bangladesh and India emerged joint champions emerged joint champions in the last version of the meet in Dhaka in 2024 after playing 1-1 draw in the schedule time and 11-11 goals draw in penalty shootout in the final. But India did not compete this time. In the other double league basis matches, Bangladesh will play Nepal on July 13, Bhutan on July 15, again Bhutan on July 17, Sri Lanka on July 19 and Nepal on July 21. After the league basis matches, top team will be the champions.

The 6th edition of the four-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-20 Women’s Championship Bangladesh’2025 begins here on Friday at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital. Four South Asian nations –Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh-- will compete in the 11-day meet on double league basis, organised by South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) under the auspices of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Joints champions Bangladesh team will start their campaign taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match on Friday at 3 pm local time while Bhutan will encounter Nepal in the other opening day’s fixture at 7 pm local time. India, which emerged joint champions with Bangladesh in 2024 in Dhaka after playing 1-1 draw in the schedule time and 11-11 goals draw in penalty shootout in the final, did not compete this time. Ritu and Monika in Bhutan to join Paro FC for women’s league In the other double league basis matches, Bangladesh will play Nepal on July 13, Bhutan on July 15, again Bhutan on July 17, Sri Lanka on July 19 and Nepal on July 21. After the league basis matches, top team will be the champions.  Meanwhile, all the three foreign teams will make their practices on Thursday. Sri Lanka team will make their practices at the Bashundhara Kings practice ground at 3 pm, Bhutan team at APBN ground also at 3 pm while Nepal team also at APBN ground at 4:30 pm.  

João Pedro scored a brace against his former club Fluminense in his first start for Chelsea, guiding the English side to a 2-0 victory on Tuesday and securing a place in the Club World Cup final. The 23-year-old forward, who spent nearly a decade at Fluminense before moving to Watford in 2020, found the net in the 18th and 56th minutes. Out of respect, he chose not to celebrate either goal. João Pedro recently joined Chelsea from Brighton on July 2. With this win, Chelsea move into Sunday’s final where they will face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. A victory would give Chelsea their second Club World Cup title, having won the tournament in 2021. European clubs continue to dominate the Club World Cup, with this year’s final set to mark the 12th consecutive title for Europe and the 17th in 18 editions. The only exception came in 2012 when Brazil’s Corinthians defeated Chelsea. Fluminense were initially awarded a penalty in the first half, but French referee François Letexier overturned the decision after a VAR review, ruling that Trevoh Chalobah’s arm was in a natural position when René’s free kick struck it. Mbappé withdraws harassment case against PSG, pursues reconciliation João Pedro’s first goal came after he dispossessed German Cano and set up a sequence that ended with a precise 20-yard finish. His second came from a fluid team move initiated by Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández, which he finished off the underside of the crossbar. Marc Cucurella made a crucial goal-line clearance in the 27th minute, while Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo suffered a left ankle injury in stoppage time. The match drew 70,556 fans to MetLife Stadium amid sweltering 34°C heat and intense humidity. FIFA had slashed ticket prices drastically a week earlier, from nearly $474 to just over $13. Chelsea are expected to earn between $88.4 million and $103.8 million for reaching the final, depending on undisclosed FIFA fees. Argentinian star Di María returns to Rosario Central after 18 years Quotable:“When I was young, I didn’t have nothing. They gave everything to me,” João Pedro said of Fluminense.“We depart with our heads held high,” said Fluminense coach Renato Gaúcho. Source: Agency 

France captain Kylian Mbappé has withdrawn the legal case he filed against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for alleged moral harassment, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. The Paris prosecutor’s office had earlier confirmed that an investigation had been opened after Mbappé filed the complaint earlier this year. However, the individual close to the French football star said Tuesday that the decision to end the criminal proceedings was part of a move toward reconciliation with his former club. The person, who is not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, also confirmed that this development does not affect a separate legal procedure. Mbappé is still pursuing a case before an industrial tribunal seeking €55 million (approximately $61 million) in unpaid wages from the club. In his earlier complaint, Mbappé had accused PSG of ‘lofting’ him — a practice in France involving the isolation of a player from the main squad for sporting, administrative, or disciplinary reasons. The dispute began after Mbappé was sidelined prior to the 2023–24 season following his decision not to extend his contract with the Ligue 1 champions. Despite the earlier tension, the relationship between Mbappé and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has reportedly improved in recent weeks, according to Mbappé’s entourage. Mbappé left PSG in the summer to join Real Madrid on a free transfer after scoring a record 256 goals for the club over seven years. He is now set to face his former club in the Club World Cup semifinal on Wednesday. PSG Overcomes Bayern in Dramatic Club World Cup Quarterfinal Amid Musiala’s Heartbreaking Injury Mbappé’s departure came amid deep tensions. Some fans booed him during his final home match at Parc des Princes, and PSG was reportedly disappointed after having offered him a record-breaking contract in 2022. The relationship soured further when, in June 2023, Mbappé informed the club he would not trigger the option for a contract extension. With just one year remaining on his deal, PSG risked losing him for free in 2024 and sought to sell him. Mbappé was subsequently left out of a preseason tour in Japan and South Korea and made to train with fringe players. Despite receiving a €300 million offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, he declined the move. Although PSG excluded him from their opening league match, Mbappé was eventually reinstated into the squad following further discussions with the club.