Bosnia and Herzegovina recognized that increasing their goal tally would significantly improve their chances of reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Thus, when Ermin Mahmic netted a potentially decisive third goal, the ecstatic reaction from thousands of fans was hardly surprising, as it eliminated Qatar from the tournament. While the standout moment came from the talented 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic, Mahmic’s contribution assured a third-place finish in Group B and likely set up a last-32 clash with the USA in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers.
Joy erupted at the final whistle, with Sead Kolasinac, one of the only two players remaining from their last World Cup appearance in 2014, clenching his fists in triumph. Edin Dzeko, marking his 150th cap, shared warm embraces with staff as Mahmic, a 21-year-old who had previously represented Austria at youth level, was brought to tears. In the stands, a supporter held his blue-and-yellow scarf high, visibly emotional, as the players took a victory lap. A squad photo followed, and both fans and players celebrated together, with the sounds of the Bosnian rock band Dubioza Kolektiv’s song USA resonating through the stadium.
Despite the joyful atmosphere, head coach Sergej Barbarez maintained a more measured demeanor, his formal black suit giving him the appearance of a nightclub doorman. “When I’m ecstatic, I keep calm, I don’t jump or sing, but it will come to me, later tonight or tomorrow morning,” Barbarez expressed. “It’s incredible, there’s no words to describe my happiness right now. I’m the happiest person in the world to be here on this stage and represent my country.”
Barbarez’s cautious approach seemed evident, especially after opting not to start Alajbegovic in their opener against Canada. The young star had been vital in leading Bosnia and Herzegovina to this juncture, having made impactful appearances as a substitute in playoff victories over Wales and Italy, scoring crucial penalties in both shootouts, including the decisive one in Cardiff. “When you have such a young player and you see the potential he has, it is difficult to put him in at the right time,” Barbarez explained. “We want to relieve him of the pressure that will come even from our own public, the expectation … We have a lot of young players and I truly believe this national team has just begun.”
Bayer Leverkusen, impressed by Alajbegovic’s previous season with RB Salzburg, activated an €8m (£6.9m) buyback clause in March to secure him on a five-year deal. Alajbegovic has been a reliable spark off the bench but excelled in his second consecutive start. His stunning goal near the half-hour mark showcased his talent as he struck a shot into the top corner. Alajbegovic picked up Ivan Basic’s pass outside the box, maneuvered from left to right, evaded a couple of defenders, and fired in from 20 yards.
Qatar struggled to contain Bosnia and Herzegovina’s advances, allowing the team to double their lead just five minutes after scoring. Dzeko celebrated as his attempt to redirect a diagonal pass to Esmir Bajraktarevic inadvertently deflected off Sultan al-Brake, catching goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada off guard at his near post. Dzeko then nearly added to the tally, hitting a low shot against the post following a clever chip that left him one-on-one.
Bosnia and Herzegovina grew complacent, which allowed Qatar to respond before the halftime break. Captain Hassan al-Haydos, making his first World Cup start, capitalized on a defensive lapse to convert Edmilson Junior’s pullback. Qatar displayed vulnerabilities at the back but created some promising opportunities, including a near-equalizer by Pedro Miguel, who struck the post during first-half stoppage time after a well-placed pass from Akram Afif.
Recognizing his team’s decline in performance, Barbarez made changes at halftime, introducing Amar Memic and Benjamin Tahirovic. Unlike their collapse against Canada, Qatar held firm, with Boualem Khoukhi’s volley from a well-executed corner causing chaos midway through the second half. Bosnia and Herzegovina felt a collective sigh of relief when the hydration break arrived, and moments later, Mahmic struck again, seizing a loose ball at the penalty spot and celebrating by removing his shirt.
“We still have to see whether we are going to progress to the next stage,” Barbarez stated cautiously, though it may be difficult to convey this sentiment to the thousands of Bosnia and Herzegovina supporters present, along with those celebrating in Sarajevo and beyond. Ultimately, the anxiety was short-lived, as results from other matches confirmed the team will advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
“We are little, but there are a lot of us,” Barbarez remarked with a smile. “I believe our diaspora has a bigger population than our country itself – there are a lot of people who want to see us and have contact with their country. It is very important we are here and it means a lot to them.”
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