Bosnia and Herzegovina reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after a 3-1 win over 2022 hosts Qatar in their final Group B match on Wednesday.
Bosnia finished on four points and, several hours after the match, FIFA confirmed they would advance as one of the best third-placed teams to reach the last 32.
Qatar, meanwhile, exited at the group stage for a second consecutive World Cup. They at least avoided a repeat of 2022’s winless campaign, finishing this time with a solitary point.
The breakthrough came from Bosnia’s youngest-ever World Cup player, 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic, who opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range effort. An own goal from Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada soon after doubled the lead for the European side.
Qatar responded before half-time through captain Hassan Al-Haydos, who pulled one back in the 42nd minute to give the hosts hope.
However, Ermin Mahmic restored Bosnia’s cushion in the 80th minute, scoring for a second consecutive match to seal the victory.
Bosnia started brightly, testing Abunada early on through Ermedin Demirovic and Ivan Šunjić, while veteran striker Edin Džeko, earning his 150th international cap, grew increasingly influential.
Alajbegovic broke the deadlock in style, beating two defenders before unleashing a powerful strike from outside the area that left Abunada helpless. The teenager celebrated emphatically as teammates rushed to congratulate him.
Bosnia doubled their lead five minutes later when Džeko’s effort took a deflection off Abdulaziz Hatem before wrong-footing the goalkeeper.
Džeko came close again shortly after, striking the post as Bosnia pressed for a third.
Qatar briefly fought back before Al-Haydos’s World Cup ended in disappointment when he was forced off injured early in the second half.
Chances were limited after the break until Mahmic sealed the result, turning in from close range before celebrating by removing his shirt and receiving a yellow card.
Bosnia held firm in the closing stages to secure a historic victory and progression to the knockout rounds.
AFP
