Bosnia won 3-2, knocking off Qatar to keep World Cup hopes alive in 32 | World Cup 2026

Bosnia and Herzegovina are on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time after defeating Qatar 3-1 in their final Group B match.

Bosnia will move on to four points and are in strong danger of being one of the eight third-placed teams to advance to the last 32.

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Qatar, meanwhile, will be out of the group, as they did four years ago when they participated in the World Cup.

Goals from Bosnia’s youngest player at the World Cup, 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic, and Qatar’s Mahmoud Abunada seemed to put the European side in the box.

However, Qatar made a comeback when 35-year-old Hassan Alhaydos, their most-capped player, pulled one back late in the first half.

Ermin Mahmic then put the game beyond the Qataris when he scored his second consecutive match in the 80th minute.

Bosnia flew into the stands as the whistle went, testing Abunada twice inside the first four minutes.

First, Abunada denied Ermedin Demirovic’s dangerous drive, then shot Ivan Sunjic.

Bosnia’s dominance finally paid off, but it wasn’t 40-year-old talisman Edin Dzeko who broke the deadlock, but a talented young left winger.

Abunada couldn’t do anything about Alajbegovic’s screamer outside the area, after beating two players.

The boy was caught by a group of teammates, and as soon as he returned to the center line, he stopped and milked the moment, putting a finger to his lips.

Dzeko, scoring his 150th cap, came more into the game, and not wanting his thunder to be stolen by the new kid on the block, he was involved in the second half five minutes later.

His shot deflected Sultan Albrake and then Abunada into the net.

Dzeko was on the mend now, and appeared a few minutes later, his shot beating Abunada but rebounding.

Bosnia’s early brilliance faded in the heat, and it was the doyen of Qatari football, Alhaydos, who repaid coach Julen Lopetegui’s faith by slotting home in the 42nd minute.

The Bosnian defense never learned from this, and in the long run, they had space to thank for having a nose in front when Pedro Miguel’s shot rebounded.

Alhaydos’ World Cup campaign, and perhaps his most famous international career, ended in tears as he limped off the field, injured, in the 55th minute.

Chances were few and far between until Esmir Bajraktarevic stole in from the right wing and went close after Alajbegovic’s effort, but Abunada denied.

Bosnia’s frustration turned to jubilation when Mahmic lifted the ball home – the winger tore his shirt off in celebration, and the 21-year-old didn’t notice the booking.