Bosnia and Herzegovina eliminated Qatar with a 3-1 win in Group B on Wednesday, taking firm control after Kerim Alajbegovic’s 29th-minute strike and strengthening its chances of reaching the Round of 32 for the first time in national team history.
SEATTLE — The night shifted early, and Bosnia and Herzegovina made sure Qatar had no answer.
In Wednesday’s Group B match. Bosnia and Herzegovina won 3-1 to eliminate Qatar and boost its own chances of advancing to the World Cup knockout stage. With the eight best third-place finishers across the 12 groups moving on. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s third-place standing now looks more than likely to be enough.
If Bosnia and Herzegovina reaches the Round of 32, it would be a historic first for the national team. The team has played in only one previous World Cup — 2014 in Brazil.
Kerim Alajbegovic provided the early spark. scoring in the 29th minute to put Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead and keep that advantage firmly in its grasp. The 18-year-old became the eighth-youngest scorer in World Cup history. firing a shot past Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada at the near post from 20 yards away.
Bosnia and Herzegovina doubled its lead in the 34th minute. Sead Kolasinac launched a cross to the back post, and Edin Dzeko volleyed toward the middle. The effort deflected off Qatar’s Sultan Al-Brake for an own goal, turning the moment into a two-goal margin.
Qatar stayed in the contest despite not winning any game in the tournament. Hassan Al Haydos pulled it back in the 42nd minute, giving Qatar a lifeline before the break.
But Bosnia and Herzegovina responded after halftime and restored its two-goal advantage again when Ermin Mahmic — who had scored in a 4-1 loss to Switzerland — added a goal of his own in the 80th minute.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the result does more than secure a place in the conversation; it redraws what is possible next. Qatar’s tournament is over, and Bosnia and Herzegovina now has a clearer path to the knockout rounds, one that has never existed for this team on the World Cup stage before.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Qatar World Cup Group B Round of 32 Kerim Alajbegovic Sead Kolasinac Edin Dzeko Hassan Al Haydos Ermin Mahmic
3-1 wow Bosnia was cooking.
So they’re “first time ever” in Round of 32 right? That’s actually wild. Also Qatar already out and I’m shocked they didn’t at least tie one game.
Wait I thought Qatar was good at soccer, like all that money and stuff. But apparently they got eliminated already and Bosnia is 18-year-old scoring from 20 yards? Idk. Own goal deflections always mess me up, like was that even on target or just luck.
The article says they “surge” and it sounds like they’re guaranteed to move on but then it keeps talking about third-place finishers and eighth best third-place… so which is it? Like if they finish 3rd they go, unless they don’t, unless someone else wins weird. Also Qatar not winning any game doesn’t sound right to me, maybe I’m thinking of a different year or group.