Bosnia's day in the knockout: 3-1 over Qatar

In the final 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match, effectively a knockout, Bosnia & Herzegovina beat Qatar 3-1 at Lumen Field in Seattle. In this crucial meeting where the winner goes through, the European side took their first win of the tournament and booked a place in the next round.

Bosnia, who ended the first half 2-1 up, had found their goals early. In the 29th minute, with an Ivan Basic assist, Kerim Alajbegovic opened the scoring, and in the 34th minute the lead was doubled by an unfortunate own goal from Qatar's Abunada. Qatar pulled one back in the 42nd minute through Almoez Ali (Al Haydos) on an Edmilson Junior pass to stay in the game (2-1).

In the second half both managers made changes; Qatar tried to get into the game with two substitutions, at the break and in the 56th minute (due to Al Haydos's injury). The goal that decided the match came in the 80th minute: with a build-up from substitute Dennis Hadzikadunic, fellow substitute Edin Mahmic found the net to make it 3-1 and all but secure Bosnia's win. In the closing stages, Qatar's Fathi was booked (suspended for the next match), and Mahmic too met a yellow card after his celebration.

In the match refereed by Venezuela's Jesus Valenzuela and watched by 66,925 spectators, the stats pointed to a balanced contest: although Qatar led on expected goals (xG) 0.77-0.65 and on big chances 3-1, the side that found the net and left with three points was Bosnia & Herzegovina. Bosnia, ahead on total shots 14-9, won this crucial match with their effective attack and earned the right to continue their run in the tournament.

Image: Sports Illustrated