United News of Bangladesh

For Real Madrid, it was a matter of pride. With slim chances of winning La Liga, the club's main motivation was to avoid handing the title to archrival Barcelona ahead of time. And on Wednesday, it took a dramatic stoppage-time goal to do just that. Jacobo Ramón found the net five minutes into injury time, securing a 2-1 comeback victory over Mallorca and postponing Barcelona’s title celebrations. The win was crucial for Madrid to prevent Barcelona from clinching their 28th league championship prematurely. Despite the result, the Catalan side remains four points ahead and can still seal the title with a win against Espanyol in Thursday’s city derby. Mallorca took the lead on Wednesday with a goal by Martin Valjent in the 11th minute and stayed ahead until Kylian Mbappé beat a couple of defenders to equalize in the 68th. Ramón netted the go-ahead go from inside the area five minutes into injury time to keep Barcelona from winning the title. Mbappé is still in the race to be the league’s leading scorer and reached 28 goals, three more than Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski. Mbappé had a hat trick in Madrid’s loss to Barcelona on Sunday, when the Catalan club virtually secured the title by coming from behind to win 4-3 in the last “clasico” of the season. Madrid has little chance of defending its league title. It must win its final two games and hope Barcelona fails to take two points from its three remaining matches. Allende scores twice to help Inter Miami tie the Earthquakes 3-3 in Messi's MLS Bay Area debut “When we wear this shield we always must fight until the end,” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said. “Even though there is still a big gap, we will keep fighting until it’s mathematically impossible.” Madrid lost all four matches against Barcelona this season, being outscored 16-7. It was the first time Barcelona won every “clasico” in a season that had at least three matches between the rivals. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti received a mostly indifferent reaction from the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday after taking over the Brazil job. Ancelotti was announced as Brazil’s new coach on Monday, and some Madrid fans criticized the coach for negotiating with the five-time champions with the La Liga season still underway. There were no significant jeers or cheers when Ancelotti’s name was announced by the loudspeakers at the Bernabeu before the match, with most fans applauding and saying his name along with the announcer, following the tradition at the stadium. Madrid had not released any reaction or statement about its coach since Brazil’s announcement, and there were no farewell or congratulatory messages for Ancelotti, either, ahead of Wednesday’s match. “There was nothing different,” Ancelotti said. “Every time I sit on the bench at the Bernabeu, it’s something special.” During the match, part of the crowd chanted Ancelotti’s name. The 65-year-old Italian is leaving after four mostly successful years in his second stint with Madrid, which won both the Champions League and the Spanish league last season. The club only won the UEFA Super Cup this season. Ancelotti also coached the club from 2013-2015. He helped Madrid win three Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups, two Spanish leagues, two Copa del Reys, three UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups. Madrid still has one last game at the Bernabeu, against Real Sociedad in the final round. Ancelotti said he wasn’t giving up on the league title just yet. “In soccer anything can happen,” he said Former Madrid player Xabi Alonso is widely expected to take over the coaching job after confirming he is leaving Bayer Leverkusen, but the Spanish club was yet to make any announcements about Ancelotti’s successor. Madrid, still without a few regular starters because of injuries, struggled early against Mallorca but created several scoring chances throughout the match. It finished with nearly 40 attempts on goal. Relegation fight In a tight fight against relegation, Leganes moved closer to demotion after a 3-0 loss at fifth-place Villarreal. The club owned by former Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow stayed in 18th place, four points from Alaves, the first team currently safe. Alaves opened the gap to Leganes — which was one of the teams promoted last season — by beating Valencia 1-0 at home. Valencia was in 11th place.    

Tadeo Allende netted two goals as Inter Miami battled to a 3-3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night, in what marked Lionel Messi’s first appearance in the Bay Area since joining Major League Soccer. Allende found the back of the net in the first half and again in the 52nd minute, tapping in a pass from Baltasar Rodríguez on a play initiated by Messi. Maximiliano Falcón also scored for Miami, a team that has now conceded three or more goals in three of its last four matches. Cristian Arango, Beau Leroux, and Ian Harkes were on target for San Jose, who extended their unbeaten streak to three games. Messi had a late opportunity to secure a win for Miami, but his close-range effort during second-half stoppage time was denied by goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Britto. Moments later, Messi was brought down just outside the penalty area, but the referee let play continue without a foul. The decision sparked a heated exchange, with Messi confronting the official after the final whistle. He was shown a yellow card and had to be guided away by Earthquakes coach Bruce Arena. “He was obviously not happy and I wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to get a red card,” Arena said. “I just tried to move him out of the way, because for him to get a red card at the end of the game would have been ridiculous. I just wanted to make sure we get him out of there and he’s ready to play the next game for Miami.” Messi's debut here was played in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000 with fans lined up hours before the game for the opportunity to see the Miami star in person. His entire Bay Area stay was turned into a multiday event with a block party held Tuesday night and fans gathering outside of Miami's team hotel excited just to get a wave from the balcony by Messi. Messi had a few good opportunities in the first half, barely missing wide left after getting a pass in the box in transition and then missing wide again on a free kick from just outside the box in the closing seconds of the half. The game got off to an exciting start with Miami scoring about 35 seconds into the game following a corner kick when Falcon headed in a crosser from Jordi Alba. SAFF U-19 Champs: Holders Bangladesh emerge group champions to set up semi-final with Nepal Friday The Earthquakes quickly responded in the third minute with Arango converting on a pass from Cristian Espinoza about 2:05 into the game, marking just the fifth time in MLS history that both teams scored in the first three minutes of a game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The teams traded goals later in the half with Leroux giving San Jose the lead in the 37th minute and Allende answering about seven minutes later. The Earthquakes took a 3-2 lead at the half when Harkes scored with a left-footed shot from outside the box on an assist from Leroux in injury time.      

Defending champions Bangladesh emerged unbeaten Group A champions to reach the semi-final of the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Men's Under-19 Championship. Bangladesh will play Group B runners-up Himalayan nation Nepal in the first semifinal on Friday at 4:30 pm at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, in the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh.  Hosts India, which clinched Group B title with all win record outplaying Nepal 4-0 on Tuesday, will play the 2nd semi-final against the Maldives, also on Friday at 8: pm at the same venue. Bangladesh emerged Group A champions securing four points from two group matches after beating Bhutan by 3-0 goals after making 2-2 draw with the Maldives in the opener. The Maldives managed a semifinal berth as Group A runners-up securing two points from two matches after playing 2-2 draw with both Bangladesh and Bhutan  In Group B, hosts India topped the list with all win record securing full six points from straight two matches after  crushing Sri Lanka by 8-0 goals and outplaying Nepal by 4-0 goals  Nepal booked a seat for last four stage as Group B runners-up securing three points from two matches outplaying all losers Sri Lanka by 5-0 goals apart from their 0-4 goals losses against giant India. Ahead of the Friday's semis, Bangladesh team held their practices for the 2nd consecutive day on Wednesday afternoon  at the NERIST ground, Nirjuli, the same ground used for first practice session on Tuesday. The team fully focused on the upcoming challenge — the first semi-final of the tournament against Nepal, The players and coaching staff are putting in maximum effort in preparation, with strong determination to secure a place in the final, said a BFF media release Wednesday evening. Earlier, Bangladesh team put in Group A of the regional youth soccer meet with Bhutan and the Maldives while hosts India was placed in Group B  with Nepal and Sri Lanka.

 Lionel Messi is about to tell the world which of his many goals was his favorite. The Inter Miami star, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion announced Tuesday that he will unveil his favorite goal on May 22. A depiction of that goal will then be turned into a work of art that will be auctioned off for charity. Messi has plenty of options to choose from: He's scored more than 800 goals for club and country over his long career with Argentina, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. Messi and the artist, Refik Anadol, will both sign the art piece, which will be unveiled in New York by auction house Christie’s on June 11. Atalanta secures Champions League spot and Venezia boosts Serie A survival with win “Choosing just one goal out of them all is very difficult," Messi said. “Each one is special in its own way, and some are really important or bring back incredible memories. But highlighting one as a favorite for the first time, to make this unique project possible is worth it. There’s a strong purpose behind it, and I’m really happy to be part of it.” The auction will close on July 25.

Atalanta secured a 2-1 win over Roma on Monday, clinching third place in Serie A and guaranteeing a spot in next season’s Champions League. The win put the Bergamo-based side seven points ahead of both Juventus and Lazio, with only two matches left to play. The top four teams earn automatic qualification for the Champions League. Nigeria's Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the ninth minute with his 15th league goal of the season. Roma equalized before halftime with a header from former Atalanta player Bryan Cristante. Ibrahim Sulemana then netted the decisive goal for Atalanta. Despite the loss, Roma still had hope. The capital club sat in sixth place, just one point behind both Juventus and Lazio. Venezia looks safe Venezia beat Fiorentina 2-1 and took a giant step towards securing its Serie A status for another year. Brazil names Carlo Ancelotti as new manager It rose out of the relegation zone and into fourth-from-last place. The last three teams go down and with two matches left to play Venezia holds its destiny in its own hands. It is a point above Lecce and Empoli, and its two final games are at Cagliari and at home to Juventus. Fali Cande on the hour mark and Gaetano Oristanio eight minutes later put Venezia in the driving seat at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo. Rolando Mandragora pulled a goal back for the visitor with 13 minutes remaining. The result was a massive blow to Fiorentina’s hopes of securing European football next season. It remained ninth, three places and four points outside the European spots.    

Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed manager of Brazil's national team on a deal that runs until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Monday. The 65-year-old will leave his current role at Real Madrid after the club's last La Liga match of the season against Real Sociedad on May 25. "The greatest national team in the history of football will now be led by the most successful coach in the world," the CBF said in a statement. It added that the Italian would officially begin his tenure with the five-time World Cup champion on May 26. Ancelotti replaces Dorival Junior, who was sacked on March 28 following Brazil's 4-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires. The CBF had reportedly also considered former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, ex-Benfica manager Jorge Jesus and current Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira for the role. Ancelotti, whose 30-year managerial career has included spells at Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, among other clubs, becomes the first foreign manager of Brazil's national team. "Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to reclaim the top spot on the podium," CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues said. "He is the greatest coach in history and now he is leading the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new glorious chapters for Brazilian football," Rodrigues added. Ancelotti won 15 trophies across two spells as Real Madrid manager and last season led the Spanish club to a Champions League and La Liga double. Brazil is currently fourth in the 10-team South American World Cup qualifying group, 10 points behind leader Argentina with four matchdays remaining. The top six teams will earn an automatic place at football's showpiece tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada next year. The seventh-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental playoff.

Brazil’s soccer confederation said on Monday it has a deal with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti eyeing the 2026 World Cup and possibly beyond. The 65-year-old Italian, who is yet to talk about the deal, will be Brazil's first full-time foreign coach in a century. Brian White scores twice, Whitecaps rally to tie LAFC 2-2 and extend unbeaten streak to 11 Ancelotti is still under contract with Madrid until the last round of the Spanish league on May 25. The CBF said in a statement that he will officially take over Brazil the following day. Brazil’s next two fixtures in South American World Cup qualifiying will be at Ecuador on June 5th and five days later against Paraguay in Sao Paulo at the NeoQuimica Arena in Sao Paulo.

Brian White scored a header in the 70th minute, helping the Vancouver Whitecaps come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against LAFC on Sunday, extending their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions. With a record of 8-1-3, the Whitecaps sit atop the MLS standings with 27 points, maintaining a five-point lead over Minnesota in the Western Conference. During their current streak, they’ve recorded six wins and five draws. White’s equalizer came after second-half substitute Ali Ahmed delivered a header into the middle of the penalty area, where White finished with a well-placed header into the net. He had earlier scored in the 26th minute to cut LAFC’s lead in half. SAFF U-19 Champs : Holders Bangladesh reach semifinal with unbeaten record beating Bhutan 3-0 White is tied for the MLS goals lead with eight and has 13 goals across all competitions. He returned to the lineup Sunday after missing a victory last week over Real Salt Lake because of a tight hamstring. Mark Delgado opened the scoring for Los Angeles (5-4-3) in the eighth minute, and Denis Bouanga connected on a penalty kick in the 19th.    

Defending champions Bangladesh smartly reached the semifinal final of the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Men's Under-19 Championship as the first team beating Bhutan by 3-0 goal in their last Group A match at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia, in the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh on  Sunday. With the day's feat, Bangladesh dominating the Group A to reach the semifinals securing four points from two group encounters and will play semifinal on May 16  In Group B, hosts India comfortably dominated group crushing Sri Lanka by 8-0 goal in their first match last Friday. Bangladesh entered the field on Sunday in a must win situation to qualify for the last four stage after playing 2-2 draw with the Maldives despite of dominating the first half 2-0 goals in the opening match last Friday. In the day match, Murshed Ali put Bangladesh ahead in the 13th minute by an accurate angular shot from small box that kissed the Bhutan net hitting the side bar  (1-0).  Sumon Soren scored the 2nd goal for Bangladesh in the 28th minute by an straight shot from goalmouth melee (2-0)  Bangladesh  sealed the fate of the match in the 6th minute of added time (90+6 minute) by a ground shot from the danger zone, utilizing a ready made right wing  pass from teammate (3-0). In the opening match against the Maldives on Friday, , captain Nazmul Huda Faysal and Rifat Kazi scored for Bangladesh,  both in the first half Earlier, Bangladesh team put in Group A of the regional youth soccer meet with Bhutan and the Maldives while hosts India was placed in Group B  with Nepal and Sri Lanka. The top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on May 16 while the final match is billed for May 18.    

 Prince Owusu scored the game's only goal and CF Montreal defeated New York City 1-0 on Saturday for Montreal's first win of the MLS season. Montreal's Jonathan Sirois made two stops for the clean sheet and Matt Freese made seven saves for NYCFC. In the third minute of the second half, Owusu scored with a difficult left-footed shot from the right side of the box to the top left corner. Victor Loturi assisted. NYCFC had 60.5% possession but was outshot 22-9 overall and 8-2 on goal. The victory ended Montreal's 11-match winless streak. Man United and Tottenham reach Europa League final and are one win away from Champions League New York City played without Malachi Jones, Kevin O’Toole, Keaton Parks, and Birk Risa. NYCFC (5-5-2, 17 points) had won three of its last four MLS matches. Montreal (1-8-3, 6 points) hosts Columbus on Wednesday and New York City visits DC United.