Kerim Alajbegovic’s goal and an own goal gave Bosnia and Herzegovina an early cushion that led to a 3-1 Group B victory over Qatar on Wednesday afternoon in Seattle.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (1-1-1, 4 points) win secured third place in Group B. With the victory over Qatar and the draw with Canada, they’re in strong position to advance to the knockout stage for the first time in history as one of the top eight third-place teams.
Qatar (0-2-1, 1 point), who got one point from a draw with Switzerland but suffered two subsequent defeats, were eliminated from the tournament and remain winless in two World Cup appearances.
Alajbegovic found the net in the 29th minute after his team dominated possession and chances early. The 18-year-old’s right-footed shot made it 1-0 and made him the youngest player to score in a World Cup for his country.
Bosnia and Herzegovina stayed on the attack. Veteran Edin Dzeko, one of the country’s most accomplished players, attempted a cross that deflected off Qatar’s Sultan Albrake and went into the goal in the 34th minute.
Moments after the own goal credited to Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, Dzeko hit a post with a shot that came ever so close to making it 3-0.
Instead of folding, however, Qatar went on the attack. Hassan Alhaydos slid into the box to get a touch on a cross that bounced into the net to make it 2-1 in the 42nd minute. Qatar defender Pedro Miguel then hit the post with a shot a few minutes before halftime.
While Qatar could not find another goal in the second half, Bosnia and Herzegovina added a third goal in the 80th minute when Ermin Mahmic blasted a ball that took a slight deflection and went past Abunada.
The win was just the second at a World Cup for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Qatar had some late chances, but was short-handed without one of their regulars, Assim Madibo. He was administered a five-match ban by FIFA on Wednesday for foul play, which stemmed from a tackle that broke the leg of Canada’s Ismael Kone earlier in group play.
–Field Level Media
