United News of Bangladesh

Cristiano Ronaldo walks into what is widely believed to be the final FIFA World Cup of his legendary career, and once again, the football world stops to watch. At 41, the Portuguese icon is preparing for what many are calling his “Last Dance”, as Portugal begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo in Group K at Houston’s NRG Stadium, kicks off at 11:00 PM Bangladesh Standard Time (BST). Despite age no longer being on his side, Ronaldo remains the central figure of Portugal’s golden generation, a player whose legacy already includes over 965+ career goals, five Ballon d’Or awards, and international dominance across Europe and Nations League triumphs. Yet one trophy still defines the missing chapter of his career: the FIFA World Cup. The final chase for football’s biggest prize Ronaldo’s World Cup journey began in 2006, where Portugal finished fourth. Since then, he has scored in five different World Cups, a record, but the knockout stage has often remained a barrier. In total, Ronaldo has scored 8 World Cup goals and provided 2 assists in 22 matches, while maintaining one of the longest international careers in football history. Despite his age, Ronaldo remains a decisive figure for Portugal and continues to feature among the top performers in the Saudi Pro League, where he finished as the third-highest goalscorer for Al Nassr (RSL) in the 2025/26 season. Portugal arrive at the 2026 World Cup with arguably their most balanced and complete squad in recent memory under coach Roberto Martínez, blending experience, form, and European dominance across positions. Built for glory? This time, however, Portugal arrive not just as contenders, but as one of the most balanced squads in the tournament. Under Spanish Coach Roberto Martínez, the team blends experience and youth across all departments. Vitinha, João Neves, Gonçalo Ramos and Nuno Mendes, all UEFA Champions League winners this season. Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United’s most in-form player in the 2025/26 season. Bernardo Silva, former Manchester City is a consistent creative force. Rafael Leão and Pedro Neto, key attacking outlets offering pace and direct threat, and finally up front the captain and focal point: Cristiano Ronaldo The squad’s depth across midfield, defence and attack has placed Portugal among the favourites heading into the tournament. Portugal, ranked among the world’s top five, also enter the tournament as reigning UEFA Nations League champions, strengthening belief that this could finally be their golden generation’s breakthrough moment. Their group campaign includes DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, with the opening fixture against DR Congo expected to set the tone. Portugal are widely seen as favourites to top the group, but analysts warn of unpredictability from their opponents. DR Congo arrive with physical strength and counter-attacking threat, Colombia bring experience through James Rodríguez, while Uzbekistan make their World Cup debut under Fabio Cannavaro. Still, all attention remains fixed on one man, Ronaldo. Ronaldo himself has indicated this tournament could mark his sixth and final World Cup appearance, an unprecedented milestone shared only with Lionel Messi in modern football discussions. Even at 41, he remains decisive, a record international goalscorer with 143 goals for Portugal and the first player to score in five World Cups. But the World Cup trophy is the one honour missing from his otherwise complete legacy. The last dance begins For Portugal, this is more than a campaign. It is a carefully balanced attempt to turn generations of talent into global glory. For Ronaldo, it is something more personal, a final chance to complete his legacy in football. Whether 2026 becomes a fairytale ending or another heartbreak, one reality is certain. The world will be watching every step of Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance on football’s biggest stage.

A top-order display by Cooper Connolly and a lower-order partnership between Matt Renshaw and Nikhil Chaudhary guided Australia to a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I at Chattogram on Wednesday. With this victory, the visitors have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, tracking down a modest target of 132 with 10 balls to spare. Chasing 132 for win, Australia’s chase began with immediate drama. Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam struck in his second over, bowling Josh Inglis for 5 as the batsman missed a cheeky reverse ramp scoop. However, Cooper Connolly walked in at number three and immediately shifted the pressure back onto the hosts. Connolly launched a brutal counter-attack against Shoriful, smashing two boundaries and a six in consecutive deliveries to jump-start the innings. Mustafizur Rahman provided a crucial breakthrough by removing Australian captain Mitchell Marsh for 13, who chipped a regulation catch to short third man. Despite losing his partner, Connolly continued his aggressive approach, lifting Australia to 47 for 2 by the end of the Powerplay. Connolly accumulated 47 off just 27 deliveries, featuring four boundaries and three sixes, before holing out to long-on off debutant Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Tim David sustained the momentum by clobbering two massive sixes, including a 98-metre strike off Mahedi Hasan. Mahedi, however, exacted immediate revenge on the very next ball when David miscued a big shot to long-on, departing for 20. At 89 for 4, the match hung briefly in the balance. Matt Renshaw and Nikhil Chaudhary combined for a 24-run partnership to pull Australia within touching distance of the target. Bangladesh managed to trigger a late panic when leg-spinner Rishad Hossain dismissed Chaudhary for 18 via a successful glove-nick review. Saqlain then claimed his second wicket by removing Renshaw for 18 in the 19th over. However, Xavier Bartlett ended any lingering hopes for the home crowd by driving Saqlain through the covers for a boundary to wrap up the chase in 18.2 overs. Saqlain finished with figures of 2 for 32 on his international debut. Earlier in the afternoon, Bangladesh elected to bat first but struggled to find momentum on a changing Chattogram deck. Opening batsmen Saif Hassan (20) and Tanzid Hasan (10) provided a brisk 26-run opening stand inside three overs before Spencer Johnson dismissed Tanzid. Spinners Adam Zampa and debutant Joel Davies then tore through the batting order, taking three wickets apiece. Zampa finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 18, picking up his 150th T20I wicket in the process, while Davies claimed an impressive 3 for 17. A late cameo from Mahedi Hasan, who hit an unbeaten 29 off 22 balls, dragged Bangladesh past the 130-mark before the team was bowled out in 19 overs.  

A disciplined Australian bowling performance, led by Adam Zampa and debutant Joel Davies, bundled Bangladesh out for a modest 131 in 19 overs in the first T20I at Chattogram on Wednesday. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh made a brisk start as Saif Hassan (20) and Tanzid Hasan put on 18 runs in the first two overs. However, the introduction of spin quickly derailed the hosts' momentum after Spencer Johnson provided the initial breakthrough by removing Tanzid for 10. Matt Renshaw then dismissed Saif to leave the hosts at 45 for 2. Later, he also got the wicket of Shamim Hossain. Zampa then ripped through the middle order, taking 3 for 18 from his four overs. He trapped stand-in captain Towhid Hridoy for 8 with a sharp googly and later removed a struggling Soumya Sarkar for 17. Zampa completed his spell by claiming his 150th T20I wicket when Shoriful Islam holed out to long-off. Left-arm orthodox debutant Joel Davies enjoyed a dream introduction to international cricket, finishing with match-turning figures of 3 for 17. Davies struck twice in quick succession to remove wicketkeeper Parvez Hossain Emon (10) and debutant Abdul Gaffar Saqlain (10). Fellow debutant Nikhil Chaudhary also joined the party, picking up the wicket of Rishad Hossain. With Bangladesh reeling at 108 for 9, Mahedi Hasan provided a crucial late flourish, scoring a quickfire 29 off 22 balls. Mahedi took toll of Davies in the 19th over, striking three consecutive boundaries via a reverse sweep, an inside-out cover drive, and a paddle sweep.Davies had the last laugh, trapping Mustafizur Rahman lbw for 7 on review to end the innings with an over to spare. Australia will require 132 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi revealed that the tears he shed after scoring in his side's FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J opener against Algeria were the result of personal difficulties rather than anything related to football. The 38-year-old forward became emotional after netting Argentina's first goal in Monday night's match. He later completed a historic hat-trick — his first in World Cup competition — while also drawing level with Miroslav Klose as the tournament's all-time leading scorer. Messi's emotional reaction sparked widespread speculation among fans, but he clarified after the match that he had recently been dealing with challenging circumstances away from the sport. Speaking to reporters, Messi said he had gone through several difficult days before the game and stressed that the situation was unrelated to football. Although he chose not to disclose further details, he thanked his teammates and members of the Argentine delegation for their support during that period. The veteran forward also expressed satisfaction with the stage of his career he is currently enjoying, describing it as a special reward after everything he has accomplished over the years. He said he was grateful to be part of the current Argentina squad and was enjoying every moment with the team. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi's display after the reigning champions opened their title defence with a convincing 3-0 victory over Algeria. Scaloni said Messi's performance was extraordinary and admitted he struggled to find words to describe the star forward's impact on the team. Source: NDTV

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia in the T20I series opener at Chattogram on Wednesday. The hosts face a reshuffled leadership as captain Litton Das misses out after suffering a calf muscle tear during the final ODI in Dhaka. In his absence, middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy takes over as stand-in captain, while Parvez Hossain Emon assumes the wicketkeeping duties. Bangladesh handed a T20I debut to Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, who joins a red-hot pace unit featuring Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman. This match also marks the return of all-rounder Soumya Sarkar, playing his first T20I since December 2024. For Australia, the team management handed international debuts to both Joel Davies and Nikhil Chaudhary under the leadership of captain Mitchell Marsh. Bangladesh XI: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Parvez Hossain Emon (wk), Towhid Hridoy (capt), Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman. Australia XI: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Josh Inglis (wk), Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Tim David, Nikhil Chaudhary, Joel Davies, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.

Austria recorded a World Cup victory for the first time in 36 years with a 3-1 win over debutants Jordan in a Group J match at soccer’s premier global tournament on Tuesday. A late own goal proved decisive, as Jordan defender Yazan Al Arab deflected a corner into his own net in the 76th minute to give Austria a 2-1 lead. Marko Arnautovic later added a stoppage-time penalty to seal the win. The match between a World Cup debutant and an Austrian side returning to the tournament after missing the previous six editions produced plenty of drama throughout. The decisive phase came in the second half, when Jordan equalised before Austria scored twice from corner situations, though only one goal stood after VAR intervention. Arnautovic initially thought he had put Austria ahead from a corner after a mistake by Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review that ruled a handball by Stefan Posch in the build-up. Austria then struck again from another corner following the second-half hydration break, with Al Arab turning the ball into his own net to restore their lead. Romano Schmid had earlier put Austria ahead in the 20th minute, finishing a well-worked move with a precise right-footed strike into the top corner after a pass from Xaver Schlager. Jordan responded in the 50th minute through Ali Olwan, who ran into the box on a counterattack before beating goalkeeper Alexander Schlager with a right-footed finish, sparking celebrations among Jordanian supporters. Austria’s win marked their first World Cup victory since defeating the United States in the 1990 group stage. Jordan, meanwhile, failed to become the first team since Senegal in 2002 to win their World Cup debut match. They will next face Algeria in Santa Clara on Monday, while Austria will take on Argentina in the Dallas area the same day.

As reigning champions Argentina national football team began their World Cup title defence on Tuesday, supporters turned out in extraordinary numbers, spending heavily and travelling thousands of miles to follow their team. For many fans, distance, cost and exhaustion were no barrier. Three supporters cycled nearly 17,700 kilometres from South America to Kansas City without even having match tickets. Others drove for about 20 hours, surviving on simple meals to cut expenses. One long-time supporter, 73-year-old Daniel Otero, said he is attending his seventh World Cup and is spending nearly $100,000 to watch Argentina across the tournament with his two sons. “We are crazy for Argentina,” he said. “That’s why we spend so much money to see our national team.” Their dedication was rewarded as Argentina opened its campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria. Star forward Lionel Messi scored all three goals, further fuelling excitement that this may be his final World Cup appearance as he turns 39 next week. Fans compared Argentina’s global following to iconic sports dynasties. One supporter said the team’s popularity with Messi is similar to the Chicago Bulls era led by Michael Jordan, noting the striker’s worldwide influence. Many travelling fans said they are following the team across multiple matches, with some estimating costs of tens of thousands of dollars for the journey. Supporters also expressed admiration for Messi’s long-standing impact on the national team, with many saying they cannot imagine Argentina without him. In and around the stadium, the atmosphere reflected deep emotional connection to the team. Fans waved flags, wore Messi jerseys and gathered around a travelling supporters’ band known as ‘Los Sin Entradas’, which performed outside the venue with drums and banners declaring “I love you, Lio.” An 11-year-old fan from Miami, whose family has Argentine roots, said he feels closely connected to the country because of Messi and regularly travels there to visit relatives. The group of travelling musicians said they plan to follow Argentina to upcoming matches in Dallas and beyond, depending on where the team advances. Local organisers in Kansas City said they have been impressed by the extreme lengths fans have gone to attend matches, including cyclists who arrived without tickets but were later helped by locals to secure entry. Many other supporters arrived days in advance, some driving long distances and staying in budget accommodation to afford tickets, which can cost hundreds of dollars. One fan, who was born in Argentina but now lives in the United States, said attending the World Cup felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially with Argentina holding the title. “We’re the last champions,” she said, describing the emotional pull of watching her national team on football’s biggest stage.

Lionel Messi scored the first World Cup hat trick of his career and moved level with Miroslav Klose atop the tournament's all-time scoring chart as defending champion Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in its opening Group J match on Tuesday night. Messi struck his first goal within minutes of kickoff after being set up by his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul. He added a second goal early in the second half before completing his hat trick shortly before being substituted, receiving a standing ovation from a crowd dominated by Argentina supporters. The goals came exactly 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro, a match in which he also scored. His tally now stands at 16 World Cup goals, matching the career record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose. The victory gave Argentina a far smoother start than it experienced at the previous World Cup in Qatar. In 2022, La Albiceleste suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match before recovering to win their third world title. Messi, who will turn 39 next week, showed no signs of the minor hamstring problem that had raised concerns before the tournament. He came close to scoring two more goals against Algeria. One effort found the net but was ruled out for a marginal offside decision, while another shot in the second half sailed just over the crossbar. The Argentine captain also contributed defensively as Argentina comfortably contained an Algerian side that struggled to create meaningful opportunities. Algeria's best chance came in the opening minutes when Fares Chaibi appeared to score, only for a VAR review to rule the goal out for offside. Moments later, Messi opened the scoring, and Argentina went on to control the match. The game at Arrowhead Stadium carried special significance for Kansas City's soccer community, fulfilling a long-held vision of the late Lamar Hunt. Hunt, founder of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, played a major role in the growth of soccer in the United States from the 1960s through the early 2000s and helped bring the 1994 World Cup to the country. His sons, Clark Hunt and Dan Hunt, have also been actively involved in preparations for this World Cup. Among the spectators on a pleasant evening in Kansas City were Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany. Mahomes traded his familiar red-and-yellow football attire for a blue sweatsuit and white shirt while watching the match. Argentina will continue its bid for consecutive World Cup titles when it faces Austria in Arlington, Texas, on Monday before taking on Jordan on June 27. Algeria will play Jordan in Santa Clara, California, on Monday and then meet Austria in its final Group J match on June 27 in Kansas City.

Lionel Messi scored the first World Cup hat trick of his career and matched Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record on Tuesday night, giving Argentina fans at Arrowhead Stadium an unforgettable performance in their team's match against Algeria. Messi opened the scoring in the early minutes after receiving a well-placed pass from his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul. He added his second goal shortly after the start of the second half and completed his hat trick moments before being substituted, leaving the field to a standing ovation from the crowd. The achievement came exactly 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut for Argentina against Serbia and Montenegro, a match in which he also scored. With Tuesday's goals, Messi became only the second player in history to score in five different World Cup editions. The Argentine captain now has 16 World Cup goals from six tournament appearances, equalling Klose's long-standing record. With several matches still ahead, Messi appears well positioned to break the mark in the coming weeks. It was the 61st hat trick of Messi's professional career and his 11th for Argentina. He has now scored in five consecutive World Cup matches. Messi's performance overshadowed impressive displays by two other global stars on the same day. France forward Kylian Mbappé scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Senegal and moved into a tie for fourth place on the World Cup scoring list with 14 goals. Norway striker Erling Haaland also netted twice in his team's 4-1 win over Iraq. The Argentine star, who turns 39 next week, had been managing a minor hamstring problem during his time with Inter Miami before the World Cup. However, he showed no signs of discomfort in a warm-up match against Iceland last week, where he scored from the penalty spot during a 20-minute appearance. Tuesday's match against Algeria marked the 200th international appearance of Messi's career, which began in 2005 when he was 18 years old. Only Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who is set to earn his 229th cap on Wednesday, and Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa, who finished with 202 appearances, have played more international matches. Argentina is one of four national teams using the Kansas City metropolitan area as its World Cup base camp. Since the team's arrival around two weeks ago, enthusiasm surrounding Messi has swept across the region. On match day, thousands of supporters wearing Messi's iconic No. 10 jersey filled the home stadium of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, singing songs in support of the football legend from Rosario. At a separate watch party in downtown Kansas City's Power & Light District, former NFL quarterback and current Fox broadcaster Jameis Winston appeared on stage alongside a goat dressed in an Argentina jersey, a playful reference to Messi's status as the "Greatest of All Time" (GOAT). The lighthearted scene appeared to foreshadow Messi's historic night. With every World Cup goal he scores, the argument that he is football's greatest-ever player continues to gain strength.

England defender Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a calf injury, prompting coach Thomas Tuchel to make a late change to his squad ahead of the team's opening match against Croatia. The English Football Association announced on Tuesday that Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been called up as Livramento's replacement and will join England's training camp in Kansas City. According to the FA, the Newcastle United full back sustained the injury during a training session on Sunday. A scan and medical assessment conducted on Monday confirmed that Livramento would be unable to take any further part in the tournament, the FA said in a statement. Livramento was included in the squad largely because of his ability to play on both sides of the defense. Comfortable at both right back and left back, he was expected to provide cover for Reece James, who has struggled with injuries in recent years. Chalobah, meanwhile, has mainly featured as a central defender for Chelsea but is also capable of playing at right back. England are set to travel to Dallas for their first Group-stage match against Croatia on Wednesday. Under tournament rules, teams are allowed to replace injured players up to 24 hours before the kickoff of their opening match.