United News of Bangladesh

A chaotic night at Stamford Bridge ended in disaster for Barcelona, who collapsed 3-0 to a ruthless Chelsea after going down to 10 men late in the first half. An own goal from Jules Koundé opened the scoring before Estevão doubled the lead with a brilliant strike. Liam Delap sealed the 3-0 victory with Chelsea’s third. Chelsea could have scored three more, but those efforts were ruled out for offside or handball. Chelsea dominated from the outset and nearly took the lead in the fourth minute. Enzo Fernández put the ball into the Barcelona net from close range, but the referee disallowed it for a handball by defender Wesley Fofana in the buildup. Two minutes later, Ferran Torres squandered a golden opportunity to put Barcelona ahead. Receiving a pass from Lamine Yamal inside the box with only the goalkeeper to beat, the 25-year-old forward inexplicably fired wide from near the penalty spot. That was all for the night for Barça. The home side’s breakthrough came through fortune. In the 27th minute, Marc Cucurella’s cutback caused confusion inside the Barcelona box—Neto’s flick was cleared off the line by Ferran Torres, only for the ball to rebound off Koundé and roll into the net. Barcelona’s troubles deepened just before halftime when captain Ronald Araújo picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Cucurella, leaving his team a man down and visibly shaken. Cristiano Ronaldo expected to escape WC ban as FIFA issues probation with red-card ruling Chelsea struck again shortly after the restart. In the 55th minute, young Brazilian Estevão produced a superb solo effort, bursting into the box, cutting past Eric García and Alejandro Balde, and smashing the ball inside the near post to double the lead. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick responded with changes, sending on Raphinha and Andreas Christensen. But the visitors’ resistance didn’t last long. In the 73rd minute, Liam Delap finished from a Fernández pass inside the area. Although the flag initially went up for offside, VAR confirmed the goal, sealing Barcelona’s defeat. Statistically, Chelsea controlled 55 percent possession, took 15 shots and hit the target six times. Barcelona managed only five attempts, with just two on goal. Robert Sánchez preserved Chelsea’s clean sheet with a brilliant save to deny Raphinha in the 81st minute—Barcelona’s only real threat after going down to 10. Chelsea now sit on 10 points after five group-stage games, while Barcelona, suffering their second defeat, drop to 15th with seven points in a disappointing campaign. After arriving in London on the back of a 4-0 La Liga win over Athletic Bilbao, the Catalan leave bruised, beaten and searching for answers ahead of Saturday’s league clash with Alavés.

Barcelona could not have scripted a more poetic homecoming. After 909 days of exile, the Catalans returned to their beloved Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday night and marked the occasion with a resounding 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao — a win that briefly lifted them to the summit of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid. The night belonged to history, emotion, and a team rediscovering its rhythm. Robert Lewandowski, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time in what was his 160th appearance for the club, carved his name into Camp Nou folklore by scoring the first goal at the renovated stadium. For Ferran Torres, this new era started with a flourish. The forward struck twice, both assisted by Yamal, who justified every bit of the hype surrounding him with a dazzling display of vision and composure. And as if to reaffirm Barcelona’s renewed strength, goalkeeper Joan García, back from injury, delivered a commanding performance to keep Bilbao at bay. Barca needed less than five minutes to trigger a new chapter in their storied home. Yamal drove forward with characteristic fearlessness before slicing open Bilbao’s defence with a brilliant through-ball. A quick series of passes followed, and Lewandowski, gliding into space, unleashed a powerful strike into the net to ignite the stadium. But the visitors refused to be mere spectators. Bilbao answered instantly with waves of attack, dominating nearly ten minutes and testing Barcelona’s defensive structure. In the 20th minute, Fermín’s low shot forced Unai Simón into action, and Dani Olmo sent the rebound narrowly wide. Four minutes later, Ferran Torres found the net but was denied by the offside flag. Bilbao’s biggest chance of the half arrived in the 36th minute when Unai Gómez failed to beat Joan García from close range. Moments later, Gómez’s long-range effort sailed over the bar, and in the 41st minute Nico Williams miscued his attempt from just outside the six-yard box. Then, just before the interval, Barcelona struck again. A counterattack led by Yamal set Ferran free, and although Simón got a hand to it, the ball rolled in to make it 2-0 at halftime. The second half began with Barcelona pouncing on a defensive error, allowing Fermín to coolly slot home their third goal of the night. Bilbao’s hopes unraveled further in the 54th minute when Oihan Sancet saw red for a reckless challenge on Fermín. Initially shown a yellow, the card turned red after VAR intervention. With a man advantage, Barcelona dominated possession and tempo, while Bilbao retreated into damage-control mode. Olmo came within inches of scoring in the 65th minute, but it was Ferran who completed the rout in stoppage time. Yamal once again orchestrated the move, and after a brief offside scare, VAR confirmed the goal. The victory took Barcelona to 31 points from 13 matches — level with Real Madrid but temporarily ahead on goal difference. Madrid, however, can reclaim the lead with at least a draw in their 13th-round fixture against Elche on Sunday, while a win would take them three points clear. Barcelona now shift their focus to Europe, travelling to London to face Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday. They will return home next Saturday for a La Liga fixture with Deportivo Alavés.  

Barcelona have reportedly identified England captain Harry Kane as their top target to succeed Robert Lewandowski in the No. 9 position next season. According to a report by Will Unwin of The Guardian, the Spanish champions view the 32-year-old Bayern Munich striker as the ideal long-term replacement for Lewandowski, whose contract expires in June 2025. When he moved to Bayern in the summer of 2023, Kane negotiated a series of release clauses in his contract, including one that would allow him to leave for €65 million (£57.1 million or $75.1 million) in the summer of 2026 if he chooses to do so. German outlet BILD reports that Kane must announce his decision to leave during the winter in order to activate the clause for the following summer. Should he make that choice in the coming months, he would be available in the 2026 summer transfer window for a fee of €65 million. Since joining Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million in August 2023, Kane has been phenomenal for the Bavarian side—scoring 108 goals in 113 appearances. In September, he became the fastest player this century to reach 100 goals for a club in Europe’s top five leagues. He also ended his long trophy drought in May after playing a key role in Bayern reclaiming the Bundesliga title. Although Kane said last month he was open to staying at Bayern beyond his current deal, which runs until June 2027, the opportunity to join another global powerhouse and compete for further major honours could tempt him to Barcelona. Furthermore, the possible departure of Barcelona’s Polish star Lewandowski at the end of the season could open the door for the English striker to become his successor. However, whether Kane would accept such a proposal remains uncertain. Spanish media suggest that Kane is “considering” a move to Catalonia, but the England captain has publicly dismissed speculation. “I’m very happy here in Munich,” the 32-year-old said last month. “[Leaving] is not something I’m thinking about.” The Catalan club already have another England international, Marcus Rashford, in their squad. Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, has been impressive this season with six goals and seven assists. Barcelona also have an option to make his move permanent for £30 million.

Real Madrid tasted their first defeat of the season in all competitions on Tuesday in the Champions League, losing 1-0 to Liverpool. Just three days later, they dropped points in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano. Xabi Alonso’s men were held to a goalless draw on Sunday in Vallecas after a colourless performance. With this result, their grip on the La Liga summit loosened as arch-rivals Barcelona can move within reach again with a win away at Celta Vigo. Los Blancos attempted a total of 21 shots with 54 percent possession but managed only five on target, while Rayo registered only two on target from 13 attempts. Arda Güler tested Batalla early with a 3rd-minute strike from outside the box. In the 20th minute, Andrei Ratiu missed a golden chance for Rayo, shooting straight at Thibaut Courtois despite having an unmarked teammate in front of goal. Two minutes later, Vinicius Junior’s dipping effort was kept out by Batalla’s sharp reflexes. Raul Asensio then failed to convert a close-range header in the 23rd minute. Neither side produced notable chances afterward in the first half. The tempo increased after the break. Jorge de Frutos’ shot went wide from a tight angle in the 50th minute, while Güler missed by inches three minutes later. In the 55th, Jude Bellingham’s near-post effort was denied by Batalla again. Real kept pressing but struggled to create clear openings inside the box. Fede Valverde’s 69th-minute long-range strike was pushed away by Batalla, and Éder Militão’s 87th-minute header was also gathered by the Rayo keeper. Güler’s final attempt in added time deflected wide. With the draw, Real Madrid still remain top with 31 points from 12 matches. Villarreal sit second with 26 from 12, while defending champions Barcelona are third with 25 from 11. They will play against Celta Vigo with an eye to narrowing the gap at the top.

A nightmare week for Barcelona continued with a crushing 4-1 defeat away to Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium on Sunday, as the reigning  Spanish champions lost their chance to reclaim the top spot in the La Liga table from arch-rivals Real Madrid. Sevilla dominated from the outset, taking a two-goal lead in the first half and adding two more late in the second. Barcelona had hinted at a comeback when they pulled one back right before halftime, but a series of missed opportunities left them frustrated. Just three days earlier, the Catalan had suffered their first defeat of the season — to PSG in the Champions League. Now, their unbeaten La Liga run has also come to an end in Seville. Barca coach Hansi Flick was forced to rotate his squad heavily for this match, with key players such as Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, and goalkeeper Joan Garcia sidelined due to injuries. Sevilla immediately showcased their strength after kickoff, and the visitors suffered an early setback just 13 minutes into the match. Barça captain Ronald Araújo fouled Sevilla’s Isaac Romero two minutes earlier — an incident initially overlooked by the referee. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned and a penalty awarded. Former Barcelona forward Alexis Sánchez stepped up, sending Wojciech Szczęsny the wrong way to give Sevilla the lead. Sevilla continued to press aggressively, and Romero could have had a hat-trick had he finished several of his promising chances. During this spell, Szczęsny was kept extremely busy, making crucial saves to prevent further damage. In the 36th minute, however, the Polish keeper was helpless, as Sevilla launched a swift counterattack. This time, Romero found the back of the net, and doubled his team’s advantage. Barcelona created a couple of clear opportunities just before the halftime, but Marcus Rashford failed to capitalize despite facing the goalkeeper one-on-one, while Robert Lewandowski’s acrobatic attempt narrowly missed the target. In added time, the Catalans finally pulled one back through a brilliant combination between Pedri and Rashford. Pedri sent a long, flying pass to the opposite direction, just outside the box, and Rashford finished it off with a superb first-time strike.  

Barcelona secured a vital 2-1 comeback victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday at home, to climb above arch-rivals Real Madrid and claim the top spot in La Liga. Hansi Flick’s side controlled the match from the outset, dominating the opening half-hour with over 85 percent possession and registering multiple shots on target. However, against the run of play, the hosts were stunned in the 31st minute when Álvaro Odriozola finished a pass from Ander Barrenetxea, giving the visitors a shock 1-0 lead. The defending champions’ immediate pressure was immense. After goalkeeper Álex Remiro brilliantly intervened to prevent an Igor Zubeldia own goal, Barcelona finally found their equalizer in the 43rd minute. French defender Jules Kounde rose to head home a corner delivered by Marcus Rashford, sending the teams into the break tied at 1-1. Goals galore as Atletico stuns Real Madrid in fiery derby clash The decisive moment came early in the second half, driven by a strategic substitution. Coach Flick introduced 18-year-old forward Lamine Yamal for fellow teenager Roony Bardghji in the 58th minute, and Yamal immediately impacted the game. He burst into the box, shrugged off a challenge, and delivered a superb cross, which veteran striker Robert Lewandowski routinely headed home. Although that appeared to be the winning goal later, the battle continued until the final whistle. Barcelona had another goal from Lamine Yamal ruled out for a marginal offside, and in the 84th minute, both sides spurned golden chances within seconds. Takefusa Kubo rattled the crossbar for Sociedad before Lewandowski immediately hit the bar at the other end on a counter-attack. With this hard-fought victory, Barcelona extends their unbeaten start to the season. They now lead the league standings with 19 points from six wins and one draw in seven matches, moving one point ahead of Real Madrid, who drop to second after a shocking 5-2 derby defeat at Metropolitano a night earlier. Bad news for Barcelona: Gavi and Fermin sidelined with Injuries Next up, Barcelona will host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday. Real Madrid will visit Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty on Tuesday. Real Sociedad, not in European competition this season, will host Rayo Vallecano on October 5 in their next league match.

FC Barcelona fans have received frustrating news regarding two of their young stars, Gavi and Fermin Lopez. Gavi is scheduled for surgery on his right knee, while Fermin Lopez will be out for around three weeks with a muscle injury. Gavi to undergo knee surgery Gavi has been dealing with persistent knee pain that caused him to miss Barcelona’s recent matches against Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Newcastle United, and Getafe. After pulling out of the Spain national team and seeing no improvement, manager Hansi Flick pushed for an immediate resolution to the case. A more detailed examination revealed a meniscus issue in his right knee. On Monday, the club decided that the best course of action was an arthroscopic examination, particularly because it involves the same knee that was previously operated on. In an official statement, Barcelona announced, “Gavi underwent intense sporting stress tests after finishing his conservation course of treatment for the radial injury to the internal meniscus in his right knee. "The conclusion is that in order to guarantee the best possible recovery and return to competitive action, this Tuesday the player will undergo an arthroscopic examination.” Surgeon Joan Carles Monllau, who previously operated on Gavi’s serious cruciate ligament injury in the same leg, will perform the procedure again under the supervision of the club’s medical staff. According to Diario AS, the midfielder is expected to be sidelined for five to six weeks. This timeline means Gavi will likely target a return in November. He is expected to miss at least seven Barcelona matches, including the El Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26th. Playing in a high-stakes match of that magnitude so soon after surgery is unlikely. Fermin out for three weeks Barcelona also confirmed Fermin Lopez’s injury on the same day. He was substituted in the 60th minute of Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Getafe due to a muscle injury. According to the club’s medical report, Fermin Lopez has an iliopsoas muscle injury in his left leg and will be out of action for approximately three weeks. This setback will likely cause him to miss matches against Real Oviedo, Real Sociedad, PSG, and Sevilla. His name is also unlikely to appear on Luis de la Fuente’s squad list for the Spain national team’s matches against Georgia and Bulgaria in October. Due to their injuries, both players will miss key upcoming matches. Gavi is expected to miss fixtures against Real Oviedo, Real Sociedad, Paris Saint-Germain, and Sevilla before the international break. Before El Clásico, Barcelona will face Girona in La Liga and Olympiakos in the Champions League. After the Clásico, the club will host Elche, a game in which the 21-year-old’s availability is also uncertain.

Barcelona extended their unbeaten start to the 2025/26 La Liga season with a commanding 3-0 victory over Getafe at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Sunday. Despite the frustration of playing in front of a reduced-capacity crowd, Hansi Flick’s men responded in style, thanks to a brace from Ferran Torres and a superb strike from Dani Olmo. Torres opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a first-time finish from Olmo’s clever back-heel. He doubled the lead in the 34th minute with a fierce long-range strike. The Spanish forward came close to completing his hat-trick before halftime, but his effort rattled the crossbar. Olmo sealed the win in the 62nd minute, calmly slotting home after Marcus Rashford’s cut-back. Rashford nearly got on the scoresheet himself during stoppage time, only to be denied by a fine save from the Getafe goalkeeper. Barcelona dominated possession with 71 percent, attempting 16 shots—seven on target—while limiting Getafe to just three attempts, including two on goal. Pellegrini's strike gives Roma the points over 9-man Lazio in fiery derby The result gave Barcelona back-to-back league wins, in which they have scored nine goals without conceding. With 13 points from four wins and a draw, the Catalan giants now sit second in the standings, two points behind leaders Real Madrid (15 points). Getafe, who had won three of their first four matches, slipped to eighth place after the defeat.

France Football will host the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards in Paris on Monday, with Barcelona well represented across multiple categories. However, two of the club’s biggest names, Robert Lewandowski and Pedri, will not be making the trip to the French capital despite their nominations. Spanish media confirmed over the weekend that both players have opted out of attending the ceremony. According to Spanish media outlet Sport, Pedri has mutually agreed with the club to skip the ceremony. The midfielder, who has enjoyed a standout year at club and international level, is reportedly prioritizing rest to manage a demanding schedule under new coach Hansi Flick. He is also not considered among the frontrunners for the men’s award this year. Lewandowski’s absence stems from fitness concerns following an injury sustained during the summer. The Polish striker has yet to fully rediscover his form this season and, like Pedri, is viewed as not a top contender for the prize. Barcelona’s main hopes for recognition lie with Raphinha and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who are widely tipped to feature on the podium alongside Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele. Their performances over the past year have put them firmly in contention for the Ballon d’Or. It will be interesting to see how Barcelona’s nominees get on during the Ballon d’Or ceremony. The Catalan club is well represented across different categories. Nominations include Lewandowski, Pedri, Raphinha, and Yamal for the men’s award, while Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Claudia Pina, Patri Guijarro, Ewa Pajor, and Caroline Graham Hansen are all shortlisted for the women’s equivalent. Barcelona are also among the contenders for both the Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year awards. In addition, head coach Hansi Flick has been nominated for the Johan Cruyff Trophy, while goalkeeper Cata Coll is in the running for the Women’s Yachine Trophy. The club’s emerging talents have also earned recognition. Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí have been shortlisted for the men’s Kopa Trophy, while Vicky López is nominated on the women’s side.  

Marcus Rashford went to FC Barcelona to regain his confidence ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and he found his rhythm in style. The Englishman's brilliance was rekindled at the perfect time, as he silenced a roaring St. James' Park with a brace, and Barcelona left the pitch with three points. Barcelona started their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over an energetic Newcastle side, thanks to their 27-year-old winger. His goals made the decisive difference between the teams. Anthony Gordon found the net for Newcastle, but it was too late for a comeback. Newcastle dominate early  Although Barcelona were the dominant side on paper, the on-field scenario was just the opposite. Newcastle dominated from the kickoff, piling pressure on the Barcelona defense and creating goalscoring opportunities. The Catalans held their nerve for the first 20 minutes, focused on clearing the ball, bypassing their opponent's press, and slowing down the pace of the game—all while under the deafening roar of the home fans. During that period, Newcastle tried their best to capitalize on the early momentum, but young Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García and the defenders managed to keep the opposition at bay. Winger Anthony Elanga was particularly superb and was the protagonist of most of Newcastle's attacks. In the 23rd minute, Elanga's brilliance almost gave Newcastle the lead. He breezed past Gerard Martín with his lightning pace and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box for Harvey Barnes. Barnes met the cross with a fabulous shot on target, but García unbelievably stretched out a leg to change the direction of the ball. Barcelona find their rhythm After that scare, the visitors started to find their shape and took control of the midfield, although they were still barely able to reach the opponent's box. Hansi Flick’s team failed to register a single shot on target in the first half. After the halftime break, both teams settled into their respective rhythms, and the match intensified with a neck-and-neck fight. In the 58th minute, Rashford broke the deadlock with an excellent header. Jules Koundé sent a spectacular cross into the penalty area, and Rashford successfully directed it on target. This was his first Champions League goal since October 2021 for Manchester United. Rashford also became the first English player to score for Barcelona in the Champions League since Gary Lineker in 1991. After conceding, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe substituted four players, with star striker Nick Woldemot entering the pitch. Moments later, Rashford stunned the home fans with an outstanding second goal. Receiving the ball outside the box, the 27-year-old forward powered a thunderbolt into the top corner, which was practically impossible for Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope to stop.