Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Qatar: 3-1 Group B win lifts World Cup Round of 32 hopes

Bosnia-Herzegovina defeated Qatar 3-1 in a Group B match, strengthening its position among the best third-place teams chasing Round of 32 qualification. Kerim Alajbegovic opened the scoring, with a Sultan Al-Brake own goal adding a second before Hassan Al Haydos responded for Qatar. The result keeps Bosnia-Herzegovina on course for a first knockout appearance.

Bosnia-Herzegovina knocked Qatar out of the World Cup with a 3-1 win. The Group B match took place on Wednesday. The result lifted Bosnia-Herzegovina’s chances of reaching the Round of 32. Qatar ended the tournament without a single victory.

The win left Bosnia-Herzegovina in third place in the group and close to qualification. The expanded tournament sends the eight best third-place teams from 12 groups forward. If Bosnia-Herzegovina reaches the knockout stage, it will be a first. Bosnia-Herzegovina previously appeared only at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Bosnia-Herzegovina World Cup hopes rise after early goal

Kerim Alajbegovic opened the scoring in the 29th minute and Bosnia-Herzegovina stayed ahead after that. Alajbegovic was 18 and became the eighth-youngest scorer in World Cup history. The effort came from 20 yards and beat Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada at the near post.

Bosnia-Herzegovina World Cup lead grows through own goal

Bosnia-Herzegovina added a second in the 34th minute after a move from the right. Sead Kolasinac sent a cross towards the back post. Edin Dzeko hit a volley back into the middle. The ball then came off Qatar’s Sultan Al-Brake for an own goal.

Bosnia-Herzegovina World Cup win sealed despite Qatar response

Qatar reduced the deficit in the 42nd minute through Hassan Al Haydos. The goal kept the game alive before the break. Bosnia-Herzegovina restored the two-goal cushion late in the second half. Ermin Mahmic scored in the 80th minute after also netting in a 4-1 loss to Switzerland.

The 3-1 scoreline strengthened Bosnia-Herzegovina’s position among third-place teams across the 12 groups. Bosnia-Herzegovina now looks likely to claim one of eight Round of 32 places. The match also confirmed Qatar’s exit without a win. Bosnia-Herzegovina’s only earlier World Cup appearance stayed the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

With inputs from PTI