Football Jul 07, 2026

World Cup 2026: Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar - Kerim Alajbegovic nets stunner as last 32 hopes boosted after win in Group B finale

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
World Cup 2026: Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar - Kerim Alajbegovic nets stunner as last 32 hopes boosted after win in Group B finale

Bosnia-Herzegovina kept their hopes of progressing into the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history as one of the best third-place finishers alive after beating Qatar 3-1 in Washington.

Bosnia, who earned their first World Cup win in 12 years, finished level on points with second-place Canada but were forced to settle for third place in Group B as a result of the head-to-head rules. They will now keep a keen eye on developments elsewhere to ensure their last 32 spot is secured, where they could play either Germany or the USA while Qatar are knocked out.

Kerim Alajbegovic opened the scoring with a stunner from range before Edin Dzeko's volley took a nick off Sultan Al Brake and was hurtling towards his own goal. Abunada, the Qatar goalkeeper, has been credited with the own goal.

Qatar hit back through Hassan Al Haidos, out of nowhere as momentum began to swing. Qatar hit the post soon after but that proved to be the closest they'd get to an equalising goal.

After the break, Ermin Mahmic, who scored off the bench during Bosnia's 4-1 defeat to Switzerland, climbed on to seal Bosnia's second-ever World Cup victory.

4: BOSNIA PRESSURE! Qatar 'keeper Abunada has been tested twice in quick succession; he comes out on top to deny Demirovic on both occasions.

30: GOAL! Alajbegovic, Bosnia's youngest-ever player at a World Cup, picks his spot from over 25 yards out and sends a rocket past Abunada.

35: GOAL! IT'S TWO GOALS IN FIVE MINUTES FOR BOSNIA! Al Brake turns the ball past his own goalkeeper to follow up from that super strike from Alajbegovic just moments prior.

39:OFF THE POST! Qatar are wilting. Dzeko has the freedom of Washington as he strikes onto the upright!

43: GOAL! QATAR PULL ONE BACK! Al Haidos taps home to halve the deficit out of nothing.

45+3: OFF THE POST! Qatar, this time, hit the post. Miguel, set up by Afif, watches his low strike knock the foot of the upright after some brilliant Qatar interplay.

81: GOAL! Mahmic seals victory for Bosnia off the bench.

Bosnia-Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez:

"We came here as complete underdogs and we are trying to do something major. This was a perfect match."

On Alajbegovic and Mahmic: "We have a lot of young players and I truly do believe that this national team has just begun and the next World ‌Cup will be their true, own World Cup."

Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui:

"We did many, many things well but football does not pay us back today. We deserved more.

"You don't know when you will ‌have other possibilities in your life to be in the World Cup."

"Let's see, we hope it is not the last match."

Tags:

football report

Share this article

Related Posts

World Cup 2026 news and live updates - USA, Canada and Mexico latest including Trump, tickets and fans

World Cup 2026 news and live updates - USA, Canada and Mexico latest including Trump, tickets and fans

Devine having medical ahead of Preston switchLatest from Your Site News' Michael Bridge:Tottenham youngster Alfie Devine is having a medical with...

Kylian Mbappe: France captain condemns racist remarks made by Paraguayan politician Celeste Amarilla after World Cup round of 16 clash

Kylian Mbappe: France captain condemns racist remarks made by Paraguayan politician Celeste Amarilla after World Cup round of 16 clash

Kylian Mbappe has described a Paraguayan politician as "despicable" and unworthy of her position after she made several racist remarks toward the Fran...

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal captain confirms he has played his last World Cup match but won't make rash decision on international future

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal captain confirms he has played his last World Cup match but won't make rash decision on international future

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he has played in his last World Cup game - but says he won't make any "rash decisions" on whether he has played his fi...

England World Cup 2026: Gary Neville says Three Lions are favourites against Norway but urges caution over Erling Haaland in quarter-final clash

England World Cup 2026: Gary Neville says Three Lions are favourites against Norway but urges caution over Erling Haaland in quarter-final clash

Gary Neville said England will be favourites against Norway but urged caution over Erling Haaland's potential impact despite the euphoria after their...

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal captain meets natural end with national team and goes down as best player to never win World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal captain meets natural end with national team and goes down as best player to never win World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo's contribution to the game cannot be questioned. One of the greatest ever to do it on the pitch.So when the Portugal captain burst i...

Argentina vs Egypt: Lionel Messi and Mo Salah go head-to-head with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals up for grabs

Argentina vs Egypt: Lionel Messi and Mo Salah go head-to-head with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals up for grabs

One of the main narrative threads that seems to have taken over the 2026 World Cup is this idea of 'the last dance'.So many superstars are making what...