History as Topu brace helps Bangladesh beat San Marino
Published: 06 June 2026, 2:30:29
A brilliant brace from defender Topu Barman guided Bangladesh to a historic victory away to San Marino in Friday’s FIFA international friendly.
Topu broke the deadlock in the 19th minute before Nicolas Giacopetti brought parity for the home side in the 31st minute as the two teams went into the interval with the score locked at 1-1.
Topu however struck the winner in the 86th minute to spark wild celebrations in the Bangladesh dugout.
This was Bangladesh’s maiden victory against an European side, their first ever game on European soil and third ever clash against an European outfit.
In the process, Bangladesh’s new head coach, American Thomas Dooley got off to a winning start in his debut as the tactician of the men in red and green.
In his first squad selection, Dooley brought Isa Faysal, Rafiqul Islam and captain Jamal Bhuiyan back to the starting XI, while former Canada midfielder Shamit Shome was surprisingly named among the substitutes.
Against the run of play in the early stages, the Bengal Tigers went ahead when a fine Sheikh Morsalin cross to the far post was headed home by Topu.
At the half hour mark, the hosts equalised as Giacopetti found the back of the net after Filippo Berardi shot across in front of goal; goalkeeper Mitul Marma unable to keep the effort out.
Dooley changed his side during the first-half breather, introducing Sohel Rana, Shamit and Zayyan Ahmed in place of Morsalin, Faysal and Jamal.
The American coach continued to alter his options in search of the winner, replacing Rafiqul and Foysal Ahmed Fahim with Bishwanath Ghosh and Fahamedul Islam.
With the encounter edging towards a draw, Topu intervened four minutes from time.
Following a free-kick delivered by star midfielder Hamza Choudhury, Bishwanath volleyed into the decisive area, where the experienced defender powered home his second header of the night. This was the Bashundhara Kings defender’s eighth international goal.
San Marino, ranked 211th, were playing against Asian opposition in 181st placed Bangladesh for the first time.
Starting XI
Mitul Marma, Topu Barman, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Isa Faysal, Saad Uddin, Jamal Bhuiyan, Hamza Choudhury, Sohel Rana, Sheikh Morsalin, Rafiqul Islam, Foysal Ahmed Fahim
