Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Bosnia and Herzegovina retained their hopes of making it into the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as they beat Qatar 3-1 in Seattle on Wednesday, June 24. The loss meant that the two-time Asian Champions were knocked out of the competition and continued to chase for their first win at the World Cup.
Goals from Kareem Alajbegovic and Ermin Mahmic either side of an own goal from Sultan Al-Brake was enough for Bosnia as they were able to withstand pressure from Qatar at the end. For the Asian giants, their captain Hassan Al-Hayydos scored the consolation goal.
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Bosnia finished their Group B matches with four points from three matches and in the third spot. With eight of the best third-placed teams making it to the Round of 32, Bosnia will now dream about making it out of the group stages for the first time in their history.
ALAJBEGOVIC ANNOUNCES HIMSELF ON BIG STAGE
As Edin Dzeko came in for his 150th appearance, a lot was expected from him in the must-win clash. However, the spotlight was on Alajbeogivc. Touted as the future of Bosnian football, the 18-year-old looks comfortable with both his legs. On Wednesday, it seemed like that breakthrough performance that will make him a target for the big teams in Europe.
The match started with Bosnia being on top and making Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada make two vital saves early on. While Qatar did make a few attacks, it was all Bosnia at that point before Alajbegovic stepped up.
Cutting in from the left and dancing past a few defenders, the youngster unleashed a rocket from outside the box that zoomed past the Qatari goalkeeper in the 29th minute.
Five minutes later, Dzeko got involved and forced Qatar into a mistake. A cross ball found the veteran and his half-volley was turned into the goal by Sultan to give Bosnia full control.
Dzeko almost made it 3-0 as his shot went off the post. This flipped a switch in Qatar as they started to attack far more and put Bosnia under pressure.
Qatar got a lifeline in the 42nd minute as the reward for pushing higher arrived when Edmilson Junior cut the ball back from the left and captain Hassan Al-Haydos fired home from close range.
Then it was time for them to hit the post, as right-back Miguel’s effort was just inches away from making it 2-2.
BOSNIA HANG ON
The chance to finish second was mathematically possible for Bosnia but they needed seven or more goals in the match after Switzerland took the lead against Canada in the other game.
That ambition didn’t seem to exist within the Bosnian ranks as they defended resolutely and kept Qatar’s high-intense football at bay.
The Asian champions continued to probe on and came close when Afif’s shot hit the side netting. Bosnia were still happy to sit back and go for the counter to get the job done.
They took off Dzeko, much to his anger, but the plan seemed like to finish the match with all three points. But the eye for goal still remained.
They got their chance in the 83rd minute and Mahmic made the most of it, scoring it past the Qatar goalkeeper, who needed to do better.
Qatar pushed on, having all their players in the opposition half, but luck and precision seemed to have deserted them at that time. Soon enough, the defiance from Qatar was over as they remained winless in the World Cup.
For Bosnia, the waiting game now begins. They will need to depend on the results from the other games in the remaining groups to see if they finish in one of the eight spots.
Right now, they are at the top of the standing for the third-placed teams.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
