A superb individual goal from Kerim Alajbegovic put Bosnia-Herzegovina in a strong position to reach the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time as they took a 2-1 lead against Qatar.
Both Bosnia and Qatar headed into their Group B finale in Seattle with just a point apiece following chastening defeats in the second round of fixtures, but both knew a win would give them an excellent chance of progression to the round of 32 as one of the eight best third-placed finishers.
And Bosnia went into the interval with a slight edge, though they will feel that the points could have been all wrapped up.
Sergej Barbarez’s side dominated the early going, but it took a special goal from Red Bull Salzburg teenager Alajbegovic to break the deadlock in the 29th minute.
The 18-year-old jinked past two defender before letting fly with a swerving effort from just outside the area, leaving Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada with no chance.
Bosnia then looked to be in complete command five minutes later when Sultan Al-Brake deflected Edin Dzeko’s attempted lay-off from a deep cross beyond the helpless Abunada.
Dzeko should to have put the game to bed when he surged through the heart of a suspect Qatar defence, only to see his effort cannon off the post.
The 40-year-old’s profligacy was punished as Qatar captain Hassan Al-Haydos halved the deficit by slotting home from Edmilson Junior’s pull back.
Qatar would have levelled had the woodwork not come to Bosnia’s aid, Pedro Miguel denied by the left-hand post as the 2022 hosts finished the half the stronger.
