United News of Bangladesh

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.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who have been struggling for form in the league recently, appeared set for another setback on Saturday evening. However, a last-minute goal from Gonzalo Ramos ensured Luis Enrique’s side left the pitch with all three points. The reigning champions defeated Nice 1–0 at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1 on Saturday. This was only their second win in the last five matches, with the other three ending in draws, and their first victory in a game after a brief winless run. Manchester United’s winning run ends with 2–2 draw against Nottingham PSG remain top of the table with 24 points from 11 matches, including seven wins and three draws. Monaco, with 20 points from one fewer game, sit in second place. Nice are eighth with 17 points from 11 matches. Throughout the match, PSG dominated possession with an attacking display, holding around 77 percent of the ball. They had 28 shots, with the first 27 failing to find the target, but the breakthrough came on the 28th and final shot of the game. In the fourth minute of added time, Ramos, who came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, scored the decisive goal. Lee Kang-in’s corner was met by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who headed the ball to the far post, where Ramos directed a perfect header into the net. The goal made Ramos’ 100th appearance for PSG a memorable one. Arsenal consolidate Premier League lead with dominant 2–0 win over Burnley This season, Ramos has scored two league goals in 10 matches, while PSG have netted a total of 38 goals across all players.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or, capping a sensational season that saw him lead PSG to their first-ever Champions League title. The 28-year-old forward beat out Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for the top honor, which was awarded at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday. A historic season for Dembele and PSG Dembele was instrumental in PSG’s historic season, which also saw them lift the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France trophies. The French international scored an impressive 35 goals and provided 16 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. His explosive form was crucial for the treble-winning side, especially after Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid, as Dembele seamlessly transitioned into a more central attacking role. He succeeds Manchester City’s Rodri as the men’s player of the year, an award administered by France Football and decided by a vote of international journalists. The criteria for the award include individual performance, team achievements, and a player’s class and fair play. From Barcelona to Ballon d’Or Dembele’s victory marks a remarkable turnaround for the forward, who struggled to meet expectations during his six seasons at Barcelona after a high-profile €100 million move in 2017. However, since his €50 million transfer to PSG in 2023, he has flourished under coach Luis Enrique, establishing himself as one of the world’s elite players. “Thank you all,” an emotional Dembele said upon receiving the award from legendary player Ronaldinho. “What just happened to me is incredible. I’m speechless. It’s been an amazing season with PSG... I want to thank PSG for signing me in 2023. The president, the entire team, and the club. They are a wonderful family.” Pedri, Lewandowski to skip Ballon d’Or gala in Paris He also credited Luis Enrique, saying the coach “is like a father to me” and has been “very important to my career.” Other awards at the ceremony The ceremony also celebrated other standout performers from the past season: Lamine Yamal, 18, who had a brilliant season with Barcelona, was awarded the Kopa Trophy for second time for the best under-21 male player. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati won her third consecutive Ballon d’Or Feminin, joining an exclusive club alongside Michel Platini and Lionel Messi. Vicky Lopez of Barcelona was named the best under-21 female player. The Gerd Müller trophy for the season’s top goal scorers went to Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy) and Hannah Hampton (Chelsea) were named the best goalkeepers, receiving the Yashin Trophy and Lev Yashin Trophy, respectively. The Johan Cruyff trophies for best coaches were awarded to PSG’s Luis Enrique and England women’s team manager, Sarina Wiegman.

The highly anticipated Ligue 1 match between arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain has been postponed, disappointing French football fans worldwide. The decision was made due to severe weather warnings in the south of France, leading to the cancellation of the fixture just hours before it was set to begin. Liverpool postpones WSL match after death of former manager The match, the fifth round of the current season, was originally scheduled for this Sunday at 8:45pm local time (12:45 am Bangladesh time) at the iconic Velodrome stadium in Marseille’s city center. However, officials called off the game on Sunday afternoon after the French league, Ligue 1, issued a formal announcement following the severe weather alert. The Bouches-du-Rhône region, where Marseille is located, has been placed on an orange alert for heavy storms, flash flooding, and thunderstorms. According to police chiefs in the department, a significant risk of flooding exists in and around the 65,000-seat stadium, making it unsafe for both players and spectators. Zidane’s son switches allegiance from France to Algeria Nicknamed “Le Classique,” the fixture is one of the most significant events on the top-flight football calendar, symbolizing the fierce rivalry between the two clubs and their respective cities. The postponement is a missed opportunity for Marseille, who were hoping to narrow their point deficit against the visiting team, despite what has been a less-than-ideal start to their season. PSG, Inter start Champions League campaigns in style In contrast, Luis Enrique’s PSG side has enjoyed a flawless start, winning all four of their games to sit at the top of the Ligue 1 table with 12 points. Marseille, with two wins and two losses, currently lies in seventh place with six points. The match has been officially rescheduled for this Monday, September 22, with kickoff set for 8:00 PM local time.  

The new UEFA Champions League season is underway, and two of last season’s finalists have started their campaigns in impressive fashion. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and last season’s runners-up, Inter Milan, both secured big wins in their opening matches, sending a clear message to the rest of Europe. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain wasted no time in making a statement in their opening UEFA Champions League match, as they overpowered Atalanta with a commanding 4-0 victory at the Parc des Princes. The win serves as a powerful message that the French side is intent on replicating last season’s triumph, which culminated in a 5-0 thrashing of Inter in the final. PSG’s first goal came just 150 seconds into the match, when Marquinhos converted a pass from Nuno Mendes. The hosts’ high-pressing and fluid play is reflected in the stats. With 67 percent possession, they had a total of 22 shots, 13 of which were on target, while Atalanta managed to get only two shots on target from eight attempts. Mbappe’s double penalties lift 10-man Real Madrid past Marseille Despite a pair of superb saves from Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi and a missed penalty by Bradley Barcola, PSG’s attacking pressure never cooled down. This resulted in goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, and Gonçalo Ramos. Kvaratskhelia netted a wonderful solo goal before the break, while Mendes and Ramos added to the tally in the second half. The comprehensive performance demonstrated PSG’s team depth and ability to score from multiple sources, even with key players like Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue sidelined. Thuram’s brace powers Inter in Amsterdam Following their disappointing loss in last season’s final, Inter Milan kicked off their new Champions League campaign with a much-needed victory, defeating Ajax 2-0 away at the Johan Cruyff Arena. The win was a crucial step for the Italian side, who had been struggling with successive defeats in their domestic league. Marcus Thuram was the star of the night for Inter, scoring both goals with powerful headers. The French international proved to be a constant threat to the opponent. His two goals were almost carbon copies of each other, showcasing his strength and aerial prowess. For his first goal, he got ahead of the defenders near the goal to head in a corner kick from Hakan Calhanoglu just before halftime. He did it again just two minutes into the second half, heading in another corner from Calhanoglu. The victory was not only a confidence booster for the Inter players but also a display of tactical maturity. After securing the two-goal lead, Inter eased off the pressure, maintaining possession and frustrating the home side. The result sends a clear signal that Inter is ready to banish the ghosts of last season’s final and make a strong run in the competition.

Uncertainty is growing among FC Barcelona fans as the team’s return to their home stadium, Spotify Camp Nou, continues to be delayed. The repeated postponements have forced the Catalan club to play their first home match of the season last night at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium. The Nou Camp has served as Barcelona's home ground since it opened in 1957. Renovation work began in June 2023, at a cost of around 1.3bn euros, with the goal of modernising the stadium and expanding its capacity to 105,000 - making it one of the largest grounds in the world. But the club has not provided a clear timeline for when they will be able to return to Camp Nou. On Thursday, club president Joan Laporta stated that “the stadium is almost finished and ready for hosting games.” An official statement was published regarding this as he added, “We will be back home soon,” but did not give a specific date, saying it depends on receiving the necessary permits from the authorities. The president assured fans that the club is working hard to make the return a reality as soon as possible.

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.

On a balmy evening at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the stage was set for a titanic clash between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held on July 5, 2025. The air buzzed with anticipation as fans filled the stands, their chants and songs creating an electric atmosphere. Little did they know that the match would be remembered not only for its footballing drama but also for the heartbreaking injury of Jamal Musiala, which would resonate across the football world. A Star Falls: Musiala’s Devastating Injury As the first half neared its conclusion, with the score still locked at 0-0, a moment of horror unfolded. Bayern’s prodigy, Jamal Musiala, known for his electrifying pace and deft touch, found himself in a one-on-one situation with PSG’s towering goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma. In a courageous attempt to slot the ball past the Italian, Musiala collided heavily with Donnarumma, and in an instant, the stadium fell silent. Musiala lay on the ground, clutching his ankle, his face contorted in agony. The severity of the injury—suspected to be a broken ankle—was immediately apparent. Players from both teams gathered around, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. Bayern’s captain, Manuel Neuer, stood nearby, his face etched with worry for his young teammate. Even PSG’s players, fierce competitors moments earlier, showed visible empathy, with Donnarumma himself checking on Musiala’s condition. Read more: Kyle Walker ends 8-year spell with Man City by moving to Burnley The medical team rushed onto the field, and after several tense minutes, Musiala was carefully placed on a stretcher and carried off, the crowd rising to applaud the 22-year-old star. The applause was a mix of support and sorrow, a collective acknowledgement of Musiala’s brilliance and the uncertainty now surrounding his future. The injury’s graphic nature led stadium officials to withhold the replay from the big screens, sparing fans from reliving the distressing moment. Musiala, who had scored three goals in the Club World Cup and 20 across all competitions this season, is more than just a player for Bayern. Born in Stuttgart to a Nigerian father and German mother, he moved to England at a young age, honing his skills in Chelsea’s academy before returning to Germany. His versatility, technical skill, and composure have drawn comparisons to football’s greats, making his injury all the more devastating for Bayern and their supporters.

Bukayo Saka missed from a near-unmissable position and Arsenal missed out again. A 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday ended Arsenal's hopes of winning the Champions League and halting a barren trophy run that now stretches five years. PSG won the two-legged semifinal 3-1 on aggregate and will play Inter Milan in the final in Munich on May 31. Arsenal will wonder how another season of promise has ended up empty-handed. “We have to learn from this. We did a lot of good things, but it’s not enough,” captain Martin Odegaard said after the match in Paris. It might have been different had Saka not fired over the bar with an open net to aim at in the 79th — but Arsenal had already given itself a mountain to climb at that point, having gone 2-0 down. Saka reduced the deficit and could have leveled the score on the night if not for his wayward finish. “Inside the boxes, over the two games, we weren't good enough,” Odegaard said. A top class centre forward is likely top of Mikel Arteta's wanted list when the transfer window opens — and his failure to strengthen his forward line in January has undermined Arsenal's campaign. A challenge for the Premier League title fizzled out and it is only Arsenal's form in Europe that has disguised its failings since the turn of the year. Rohit Sharma retires from test cricket ahead of England tour Arteta's team has won only three of its last 10 league games and just one of the last five. Blowing the lead against Bournemouth last weekend was the fourth time in five league games that it has dropped points from a winning position. Arsenal has saved its biggest performances for the Champions League — beating holder Real Madrid home and away in the quarterfinals. But its hopes of a first final appearance since 2006 were ended by a PSG team that finally looks ready to conquer Europe after more than decade of lavish spending from its Qatari backers. What next for Arsenal after this latest near miss? Injuries to forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have not helped, but Arsenal's trophy wait goes on. Arteta's only major trophy with the club was in his first year when they won the FA Cup in 2020. Since then he has restored Arsenal to one of the biggest forces in English soccer and returned it to the Champions League. There were back-to-back runner-up spots in the Premier League over the past two seasons and it is currently second to champion Liverpool this year. A Champions League quarterfinal last year was followed by a semifinal this time around. But still no trophy. There have been two Community Shields since the FA Cup triumph, but they are not widely considered major trophies, rather a curtain raiser to the season that is often described as a glorified friendly match. “Sometimes you have to lose a few in order to win and you have to overcome some of these setbacks and mentally grow as a person and as a player and as a group," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said. "We’re going through that at the moment, a few losses, in terms of losing out in the league and coming close in the Champions League in back-to-back years. "PSG have gone through tonight and we’re absolutely gutted but this doesn’t define us for sure.”

Former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas joined the Argentinian club Newell's Old Boys on a free transfer on Wednesday. The 38-year-old Costa Rican, who recently retired from international soccer, won three Champions League titles with Real but has not played since the end of his stint in Paris last May. “Thank God we are returning to the pitch," Navas said on his social media accounts. "I feel ready, willing and very happy to take this new challenge.” Mainz signs US midfielder Lennard Maloney from Bundesliga rival Heidenheim Newell's, Lionel Messi's boyhood club, is based in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of Buenos Aires. Newell's called Navas “an international legend” on social media. He has played in the last three World Cups for his country. The length of his deal with Newell's has not been disclosed.