Bosnia win 3-2, knock out Qatar to keep alive hopes of World Cup

Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Qatar 3-1 in Seattle on Wednesday evening, boosting their knockout chances in a decisive World Cup 2026 Group B clash. The Dragons move onto four points and are in a strong position to be one of the best eight third-placed teams to progress to the last 32. Qatar meanwhile exit at the group stage, just as they did four years ago.
Goals from Bosnia's youngest ever World Cup player, 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic, and an own goal by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada looked to have put the European side in the box seat. However, Qatar made a game of it when 35-year-old Hassan al-Haydos, their most capped player, pulled one back late in the first-half. Ermin Mahmic then put the game beyond the Qataris when he scored for the second successive match in the 80th minute. 
Bosnia flew out of the blocks as soon as the whistle went, testing Abunada twice inside the first four minutes. Bosnia's dominance finally paid off but it was not to be 40-year-old talisman Edin Dzeko who broke the deadlock but the sublimely-talented teenage left wing.Bosnian frustration gave way to ecstasy when Mahmic prodded the ball home -- the scorer ripping his shirt off in celebration and the 21-year-old paid little notice to being booked for it.