United News of Bangladesh

Cristiano Ronaldo may have been missing, but Portugal hardly felt his absence as Roberto Martínez’s men stormed into next year’s FIFA World Cup, annihilating Armenia 9–1 in their final qualifier at the Estadio do Dragão in Porto. On a night brimming with goals and confidence, experienced playmaker Bruno Fernandes and rising star João Neves each bagged hat-tricks. Renato Veiga, Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição added their names to the scoresheet to complete the nine-goal rout. Ronaldo was serving a suspension after receiving a red card in Thursday’s shock 2–0 loss to Ireland, a defeat that briefly rattled the Portuguese camp. But on Sunday, Fernandes and company flipped the script from the opening whistle. Portugal needed only seven minutes to break the deadlock. Fernandes’ wicked free-kick was pushed onto the post by the Armenian goalkeeper, but the rebound looped perfectly for Veiga, who nodded home into the bottom-right corner. Armenia, however, responded brightly. Eduard Spertsyan levelled in the 18th minute after Grant-Leon Ranos powered down the flank, outmuscling João Cancelo before cutting the ball back for his teammate to sweep into the net. Three minutes later, Ramos had a golden chance to restore the lead but fired straight at the goalkeeper. Portugal kept pressing, and in the 30th minute their patience paid off. A move sparked by Nélson Semedo flowed through Fernandes before Neves drilled a low strike past the keeper. Portugal nearly added another in the 40th minute when a clever Fernandes ball found Bernardo Silva, only for the Armenian goalkeeper to deny him with the faintest of touches. The hosts didn’t have to wait long, though. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Rúben Dias was dragged down in the box, winning a penalty. Fernandes stepped up and coolly slotted down the middle, sending Portugal into the break with a commanding 5–1 lead. Fernandes went on to grab a hat-trick with goals in the 52nd and 72nd minutes. Neves later joined him, sealing his own treble in the 81st minute with a brilliant nutmeg finish inside the box. Substitute João Félix missed a golden opportunity in the 89th minute, but in stoppage time Francisco Conceição ensured Portugal ended with a flourish, striking in the 92nd minute to wrap up a dominant victory—one that sends Portugal confidently toward football’s biggest stage next June. In the other fixture of the group, a spirited Ireland side overcame Hungary 3–2 despite falling behind twice. The Irish found their second equalizer ten minutes before the final whistle, and then stunned Hungary with a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time to book their place in the play-offs. Hungary, despite being favourites for most of the group stage, ultimately finished the qualifying round in tears.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo hinted that he will retire within the next two years, confirming that the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last appearance on football’s biggest stage. “I will be 41 years old and I think will be the moment in the big competition (World Cup),” Ronaldo told CNN’s Becky Anderson in an interview at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. As for when he’ll retire from the sport, the all-time leading goalscorer in international football history said, “I’m enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it’s really soon because I gave everything for football. “I’m in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything. I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I’m really proud, so let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.” Ronaldo has scored 143 international goals and is the first-ever male player to score at five World Cups. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals. The expanded 48-team tournament, the largest in history, kicks off June 11, 2026, in the US, Mexico and Canada. The World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on Thursday.

Portugal has announced it will officially recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, joining a growing number of Western nations ahead of a high-level United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) conference on Palestinian statehood. In a statement on Friday, Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the formal declaration will take place on September 21, a day before the UNGA conference. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro finalised the decision after consultations with the president and parliament, ending nearly 15 years of debate in the Portuguese legislature, local daily Correio da Manhã reported. The proposal was first introduced in 2011 by the country’s Left Bloc political party. Portugal’s move comes just days after a UN inquiry concluded that Israel’s war on Gaza amounts to genocide. Since October 2023, at least 65,141 Palestinians have been killed and 165,925 wounded in Israeli attacks, with thousands more believed to be trapped under rubble. Lisbon had first signaled its intention to recognise Palestine in July, citing the worsening humanitarian crisis and Israel’s ongoing threats to annex Palestinian land. Earlier on Friday, an adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron said that Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and San Marino also plan to extend recognition, alongside France, at Monday’s high-level meeting in New York co-hosted with Saudi Arabia. Canada and the United Kingdom have announced similar steps. These countries will join around 147 UN member states — nearly 75 percent of the global body — that had already recognised Palestinian statehood as of April this year. Portugal was also among 145 countries that voted on Friday to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address the UNGA by video after the United States denied him a visa. The US, Israel, Paraguay, Palau and Nauru voted against the motion, while six countries abstained. Israel and the US have strongly criticised the wave of recognitions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called France’s decision “reckless” and accused it of serving “Hamas propaganda.” Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich previously warned that Tel Aviv would establish a new illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank for every country that recognised Palestine. Meanwhile, Luxembourg has indicated it will follow suit. Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel told a parliamentary commission that the country intends to recognise Palestine at the UNGA. Bettel also said he would propose legislation to enable sanctions against Israel, broadcaster RTL Letzebuerg reported. Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, has urged countries to go further by imposing sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel. The UNGA’s 1947 partition plan had allocated 45 percent of the land for an Arab state. At the time, the assembly had only 57 members, with many nations still under colonial rule unable to vote.  

Cristiano Ronaldo once again found himself at the heart of global football headlines during the ongoing international break. Portugal edged past Hungary in a tense World Cup qualifier, thanks to a late winner from João Cancelo. Yet, as so often, it was Ronaldo who stole the limelight not only for his performance but for another landmark goal that added weight to his legendary career. In the 58th minute, the Al Nassr striker calmly converted a penalty, putting Portugal ahead and etching his name into history yet again. With that strike, Ronaldo became the joint-highest scorer in World Cup qualifying history with 39 goals, standing shoulder to shoulder with Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz. The milestone came just five days after Lionel Messi presumably played the last match of his career in the World Cup qualifiers on home soil with Argentina. Ronaldo’s penalty not only extended his personal tally but also widened the gap over his eternal rival. He now sits three goals ahead of Messi in qualifiers, underlining how the duel between the two greats continues to shape football’s narrative even in its twilight. With this latest addition, Ronaldo’s international goal count swelled to 141 in 223 appearances, the highest in men’s football. Messi, with 114 goals in 194 caps, trails by a significant margin, though still far ahead of Iran’s Ali Daei, who retired with 108 goals from 148 matches. But while Messi and Ronaldo remain the gold standard of international goal-scoring, a new generation has already started rewriting record books. France’s Kylian Mbappé, at just 26, surpassed Thierry Henry’s tally of 51 to become his country’s second-highest scorer with 52 goals. Now just five behind Olivier Giroud, Mbappé seems destined to become France’s all-time top scorer before long. With his pace, consistency, and age on his side, many believe he could eventually challenge Ronaldo’s monumental record. Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, still only 17, has already shown flashes of brilliance for La Roja. If his talent matures and injuries stay at bay, Yamal could well join the pantheon of international greats in the decades to come. Yet, amid this shifting landscape, one name stands out as a genuine threat to Ronaldo’s seemingly unbreakable record: Erling Haaland. The 25-year-old Norwegian forward, already a household name thanks to his club Manchester City, is rapidly building an international legacy of his own. Last night, Haaland spearheaded Norway’s extraordinary 11–1 demolition of Moldova, netting five goals in a single match. The performance elevated his international tally to 48 goals in just 45 appearances, giving him a jaw-dropping strike rate of 1.07 goals per game. To put that in perspective, Ronaldo averages 0.63, Messi 0.59, and Mbappé 0.57 goals per match. Haaland, in other words, is scoring at nearly double the rate of the two greatest of all time. Haaland’s meteoric rise is even more remarkable when you consider the timeline. Since debuting for Norway on September 5, 2019, he has amassed 48 goals in just six years. Ronaldo, by comparison, had scored 22 international goals at the same point in his career. Age is another factor tilting the balance. Ronaldo, who has hinted multiple times that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will likely be his last dance, is expected to retire at 41. Messi, at 38, remains undecided about extending his international journey that far. Haaland, however, has at least 13–15 prime years ahead. If his current scoring rate holds—even allowing for dips in form or injury breaks—he could end his career eclipsing Ronaldo’s all-time record. Of course, the caveat lies in Norway’s fortunes. Unlike Portugal or Argentina, the Norwegians are not perennial favorites at major tournaments. The fewer games his team plays in continental championships and World Cups, the fewer chances Haaland will have to add to his tally. Still, his efficiency is so staggering that even with limited opportunities, his pursuit of Ronaldo’s record feels inevitable rather than speculative. As football’s torch gradually passes from Ronaldo and Messi to the next generation, the question now lingers: will Haaland’s ruthless efficiency make him the new benchmark in international football? For now, Ronaldo’s crown remains intact. But with every Haaland hat-trick and brace, that once-untouchable record looks just a little more fragile.

Kylian Mbappé rescued France, Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal with a record-equaling goal, and England found momentum under Thomas Tuchel as European soccer powerhouses took important steps toward the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland scored five goals in Norway’s 11-1 rout of Moldova despite playing with fresh facial stitches. England dominates Serbia England registered a commanding 5-0 win over Serbia as Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, and Marc Guehi scored their first international goals. Harry Kane opened the scoring with a header from Declan Rice’s corner and later set up England’s fourth goal following a red card to Serbia’s Nikola Milenkovic. “The energy has been higher and the level has been higher,” Kane said after the match. England now leads Group K by seven points over Albania. A win and two draws in the remaining group matches would secure their World Cup spot. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford remained largely untested, with Serbia failing to register a single shot on target. France survives Iceland scare France held on with 10 men to beat Iceland 2-1, with Mbappé scoring a penalty and assisting Bradley Barcola’s second-half goal. Iceland initially took the lead after a defensive error by Michael Olise. France’s Aurélien Tchouaméni was sent off in the second half, making the finish tense, but Les Bleus remain top of Group D. Ukraine’s qualification hopes dimmed after a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan. Portugal edges Hungary Portugal secured a 3-2 victory over Hungary thanks to Joao Cancelo’s 86th-minute winner. Ronaldo had earlier converted a penalty, equaling Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz’s record with his 39th World Cup qualifying goal, raising his overall international tally to 141. In Group F, Ireland’s dream of returning to the World Cup ended in a 2-1 loss to Armenia. Haaland stars in Norway’s 11-1 win Norway’s Erling Haaland scored five goals, including a first-half hat-trick, as the team routed Moldova 11-1, extending their Group I lead over Italy to six points. Haaland played despite receiving stitches after a bus door accident. Austria moves closer to first World Cup since 1998 Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer scored as Austria defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in Group H. Austria now shares 12 points with Bosnia-Herzegovina but has a game in hand. Cyprus and Romania played out a 2-2 draw.

Zamora, Spain / Liverpool, UK – July 3, 2025 In a devastating blow to world football, Diogo Jota, 28, the revered forward for Liverpool FC and the Portugal national team, was killed in a car crash in northwestern Spain in the early hours of July 3. According to local authorities, Jota was travelling on the A‑52 near Palacios de Sanabria in Zamora province when the vehicle veered off the road and burst into flames, claiming his life and that of his brother, André, aged 25‑26, who also perished in the collision. Emergency services, including firefighters and medical teams, responded promptly to numerous 112 calls. On arrival, they found the car completely ablaze, with both brothers already deceased. The incident reportedly occurred around kilometer 65 of the motorway at approximately 00:35 local time. Jota had been in Spain on holiday following his wedding to long-time partner Rute Cardoso on June 22. The couple, who have three young children, had recently celebrated their marriage publicly, marking a joyous occasion widely shared by fans and loved ones. Originally from Porto, Diogo José Teixeira da Silva rose to prominence in Europe with FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Liverpool in 2020 for a reported £41 million. He quickly became instrumental to the Reds, contributing 47 goals in 123 appearances and playing a key part in their Premier League title win earlier this year. Read more: Ritu Porna Chakma: The Heroine behind Bangladesh’s Historic Performance in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification The football community has been left stunned. Liverpool FC, along with the Portuguese national team, are expected to issue official statements in the coming hours. Tributes from teammates, fans, and fellow professionals around the world have already begun to pour in (vg.no). A spokesperson from Spanish state broadcaster TVE confirmed the reports, adding that firefighters at the scene had verified Jota’s identity. At this tragic moment, the world mourns not only a gifted athlete known for his explosive pace and clinical finishing, but also a devoted brother, husband, and father. Both Diogo and André Jota will be remembered with deep sorrow and affection by those lucky enough to have known them. Further details are awaited as local investigations continue into the exact circumstances of the crash. Our thoughts go out to the Jota family and the entire Liverpool and Portugal football community during this time of heartbreaking loss. Read more: CA Yunus hails historic Asian Cup qualification by Bangladesh women footballers

Cristiano Ronaldo scored again as Portugal claimed its second UEFA Nations League title, overcoming Spain 5-3 on penalties after a tense 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday. Having scored the winner against Germany in the semifinal, Ronaldo equalized in the 61st minute of the final to bring Portugal back into the game for a second time. This extended his record of international goals to 138 in 221 appearances. Spain, who had stunned France 5-4 in the semifinal, started brightly and were rewarded in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi scored from close range following a clever pass from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. Portugal responded swiftly through Nuno Mendes, whose angled drive beat goalkeeper Unai Simon just five minutes later. Spain regained the lead moments before halftime when Pedri played a defense-splitting pass to Mikel Oyarzabal, who finished confidently to make it 2-1. However, Ronaldo leveled the match with a scrappy but vital finish after Mendes' cross caused chaos in the Spain box. Despite both sides pressing for a winner, the match was dragged into extra time, where fatigue began to take its toll. Substitute Diogo Jota almost won it for Portugal in the final minute, but his header went just over the bar. In the penalty shootout, both teams converted their first three attempts. The turning point came when Spain's late substitute Alvaro Morata saw his tame effort saved by goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Ruben Neves then stepped up and fired home the winning penalty, sparking scenes of jubilation on the Portuguese bench. "Our fighting spirit helped us clinch the title. We knew it would be a tough game; Spain is a very strong team and plays some of the best football in the world. But we also know that when we stick together and play as a team, we are very hard to beat," said Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes. 

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh and the Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo of Portugal (AICEP) or the Trade and Investment Agency of Portugal have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on trade and investment cooperation online. The MoU, signed Thursday, will focus on strengthening economic relations between the two countries by promoting trade and industry as well as by bringing together business leaders from all sectors of the economy. At the ceremony held simultaneously at two institutions, EPB Vice-Chairman AHM Ahsan in Dhaka and AICEP Chairman and CEO Luís Castro Henriques in Lisbon signed the MoU. Through this MoU, the AICEP and EPB aim to collaborate on developing direct business relations between their respective business communities of the two nations. Also Read: Portugal church sex abuse study: victims may number 4,800 It will also promote the exchange of economic, trade and business information and entrepreneurial experience between the two organisations and help them undertake actions to support each other in the development of fairs and symposiums, conferences and other events aimed at expanding the bilateral trade and economic cooperation, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon on Friday. It is expected that both organisations will facilitate sending business missions between the two countries to examine the prospects for cooperation in industry and trade. Also Read: Bangladesh seeks Portugal's investment, expertise in blue economy, wind power generation Henriques hoped that both organisations of the two friendly countries would work closely for furthering business cooperation. "This is only the beginning. My institution is ready to explore areas of cooperation under this framework. There is a huge untapped business potential between the two countries on which the two countries can work," he added. Ahsan said this is the first cooperation MoU on business cooperation in the history of Bangladesh-Portugal bilateral relations. Also Read: EU’s EBA Scheme for LDCs: Portugal terms Bangladesh best success story He hoped that now business communities from both countries would get the opportunity to work closely which will "certainly in turn boost the bilateral trade and investment of the two nations." Ambassador Tarik Ahsan congratulated both the Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh and Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal on this momentous decision to tie up for a partnership. Referring to the historic linkage between the countries, Bangladesh Ambassador to Portugal Tarik Ahsan said the people of Bangladesh and Portugal have been connected since the early 16 century. On the Lisbon side of the ceremony, Manuel António Gaeiras, director of external relations and foreign markets, Maria José Alvarenga, deputy director of external relations and foreign markets, Daniel Pontes, market manager of external relations and foreign markets, of AICEP and First Secretary of Bangladesh Embassy Alamgeer Hossain were also present.  On the Dhaka side, EPB Director General Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of the West Europe and EU wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Kazi Russel Pervez, and others attended the signing ceremony.      

The fortunes of Portugal’s national team have been inextricably linked with Cristiano Ronaldo for nearly two decades. Is a new era upon us? Ronaldo was in tears as he made his way to the locker room following Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday. It remains to be seen if that was the last time the world saw Ronaldo on soccer’s international stage. If it is, it marks a huge moment for the Portugal team, given Ronaldo is its captain, record scorer and greatest ever player. Read: FIFA charges Argentina for disorder at World Cup match There’s a chance the team might also have a different coach for the first time since 2014 when qualification for the 2024 European Championship begins in March. EXPECTATION VS. PERFORMANCE Reaching the quarterfinals was the minimum expected of Portugal considering the depth of talent in its squad. The team sailed through the group phase by winning its opening two games. Coach Fernando Santos rotated most of his starting lineup for the final group-stage match against South Korea, which won 2-1 on a late goal, and then thrashed Switzerland 6-1 in the round of 16. Despite Morocco’s strong defense and status as the surprise of the tournament, Portugal was still expected to beat the North African nation in the quarterfinals so, in that sense, it is another missed opportunity and probably an overall underperformance by Ronaldo and his team. WHO’S OUT The world is waiting to see if the 37-year-old Ronaldo retires from international duty after scoring 118 goals — a record in men’s soccer — and making 196 appearances in his 19 years with the national team. If Ronaldo does continue, most likely it’s only for Euro 2024 and not also the 2026 World Cup, by which time he will be aged 41. At 39, center back Pepe is likely to have played his final major tournament. What’s more in doubt is the future of Santos, who took charge of Portugal in 2014 after four years at the helm of Greece’s national team. He has a contract through 2024 and repeatedly deflected any talk about leaving his post earlier after the loss to Morocco. “I will have a discussion with the (Portuguese soccer federation) president and when we go back to Portugal, we will deal with the issue of the contract,” Santos said. Read: US soccer journalist Grant Wahl dies at World Cup WHO’S NEXT A future without Ronaldo might be an alarming proposition but there’s talent coming through. Up front, there’s the 21-year-old Gonçalo Ramos, who scored a hat trick against Switzerland when standing in for Ronaldo in his first start for the national team. There’s much excitement about the development of António Silva, a 19-year-old center back at Benfica who seems the natural replacement for Pepe — a player more than twice Silva’s age. João Félix is only 23 so has time on his side, while full backs Diogo Dalot and Nuno Mendes are only 23 and 20, respectively. WHAT’S NEXT With or without Ronaldo, Portugal is the favorite in a kind-looking qualifying group for Euro 2024. Portugal opens group play in March with a home match against Liechtenstein. The other teams in Group J are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Slovakia and Luxembourg. If Portugal reaches the tournament in Germany, expect the team to be among the favorites — even without its most famous player.  

As Morocco's dream run continues, becoming the first ever African nation to qualify for the World Cup semifinals, one of the biggest names in the game has become a headline casualty of their incredible feat. Cristiano Ronaldo, at the age of 37 and what surely seems to be his last World Cup has crashed out of the tournament in the Quarter Finals stage along with his Portuguese teammates. Touted as one of the favorites to lift the trophy come December 18, thanks to Cristiano’s unmatched legacy and a new golden generation consisting of superstars like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Joao Felix, this comes as one of the massive upsets of this tournament which has already provided underdog stories for the ages. Portugal’s reputation as a footballing heavyweight though is something of a folklore built on the legacy of one man’s unquenchable thirst to be the absolute best there ever was. A brief look at the nation’s footballing history shows that the country has qualified for the World Cup seven times. The first was in 1966, the second time was 20 years later in 1986, and the third was in 2002. Since 2002 though, which can be termed as the beginning of the Cristiano Ronaldo Portuguese revolution, the team has consistently qualified for the world tournament. Therefore there is an assumption by the newer generation that Portugal as a footballing country has always been heavyweights as the fans today have never experienced the truly dark days of Portuguese football where they used to consistently fail to even make it to the tournament let alone dream of winning it. Ronaldo ever since breaking onto the scene has sometimes almost single handedly carried the country to the biggest stage in world football with repeated individual heroics to help them across the line. Most memorably in a World Cup qualifiers play off against Sweden back in 2013 where he scored a memorable hat trick to help his nation past a Sweden team bolstered by famous talents such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Read: Ronaldo benched against Morocco in World Cup quarterfinals Cristiano Ronaldo though is at the very top of the footballing legends food chain where even the little factors make a telling difference, and this is the World Cup we are talking about. His comparisons are with the likes of Pele, Maradona and Messi, with two of the three having won the World Cup and Lionel Messi proceeding to the semis in what seems to be his one last dance as well. One trophy though won’t be the one which defines the illustrious career of a champion athlete who has broken records of all sort in both International and Club levels. If this was the last time we saw Cristiano Ronaldo donning the Portugal shirt, he will be leaving with his head held high not only as the highest scorer in the history of Portuguese football but also as the highest goalscorer in the history of football period. Read: Portugal look to end Morocco’s World Cup run Even his most ardent critics and doubters may have shed a tear or two watching this absolute legend of the game leaving the World Cup stage for one last time in tears. Football may have won with Morocco proving yet again that the beauty of the game lives on, and that it belongs to everyone but the price fans around the world had to pay has been a big one. One of the most loved and the greatest players in history has bowed out of world football’s biggest stage for the very last time. No matter where his career takes him from here, the world of football will forever be grateful for the unimaginable, unforgettable and unbelievable contributions Cristiano Ronaldo has made for the beautiful game.