Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Bosnia-Herzegovina kept its knockout-stage dreams alive at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, securing a decisive 3-1 victory over Qatar. The high-stakes result officially eliminated Qatar from the tournament while positioning the Dragons favorably to advance. If they progress to the Round of 32, it will mark the first time in national team history that Bosnia-Herzegovina has reached the knockout phase of a World Cup.
Under the newly expanded 48-team format, the tournament structure allows the eight best third-place finishers across the 12 groups to advance. Finishing Group B in third place with four points, Bosnia-Herzegovina must now wait out the remaining group-stage matches. However, their positive goal difference heavily boosts their odds of making history, a massive milestone for a nation that has only ever qualified for one other World Cup back in 2014.
The match turned in the 29th minute courtesy of a brilliant moment from 18-year-old rising star Kerim Alajbegovic. Powering a spectacular shot past Qatari goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada from 20 yards away, Alajbegovic etched his name into the record books as the eighth-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history. Bosnia-Herzegovina then doubled their advantage in the 34th minute when Sead Kolasinac sent a deep cross to the back post, where Edin Dzeko’s volley deflected off Qatar’s Sultan Al-Brake for an own goal.
Qatar refused to go down without a fight before the break. Veteran captain Hassan Al Haydos capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 42nd minute, slipping a shot home to pull Qatar within one and keep his side competitive. Qatar pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, but their global campaign was ultimately put to rest in the 80th minute. Super-sub Ermin Mahmic, who also scored in Bosnia’s previous match against Switzerland, found the back of the net once again to seal the 3-1 victory.
While Bosnia-Herzegovina celebrates a historic night, Qatar exits the tournament without a single victory. The Dragons now shift their focus to the tracking the remaining groups to officially confirm their ticket to the Round of 32.
