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Bosnia oust Qatar as Switzerland go top of Group B
Bosnia & Herzegovina delivered a composed, clinical display to eliminate Qatar from the World Cup with a 3-1 victory, a result that capped a landmark night for captain Edin Dzeko on his 150th international appearance. Earlier in the day, Switzerland’s win over Canada moved them to the summit of Group B, but the evening belonged to Bosnia, who kept their own campaign alive while ending Qatar’s hopes.
Bosnia’s first-half pressure was incessant, and the breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute via a moment of individual brilliance from Kerim Alajbegovic. Drifting in from the edge of the area, he slalomed through a cluster of defenders before rifling an unstoppable right-footed strike into the top corner. It was the flourish their dominance merited and instantly settled any early nerves.
The second goal followed soon after, fashioned by Dzeko’s sharp movement and experience. Sead Kolasinac arced a deep cross toward the back post, where Dzeko met it with a controlled volley back across the face of goal. The ball cannoned off a Qatari defender and trickled over the line for an own goal, doubling Bosnia’s lead and seemingly placing the contest out of reach.
Yet Qatar, who had struggled to impose themselves for most of the half, sparked to life just before the interval. Hassan Al Haydos reacted quickest in a crowded six-yard box to turn home from close range, halving the deficit and breathing life into their challenge. The goal injected urgency after the break, but Bosnia’s structure held firm. Dzeko knitted play together expertly, dropped into pockets to link midfield and attack, and helped his side manage the tempo.
As the afternoon wore on, Bosnia looked the likelier team to score again. Their control was rewarded 10 minutes from time when Ermin Mahmic applied the decisive touch, capping a measured second-half performance and restoring a two-goal cushion. From there, Bosnia saw out the contest with authority, their back line repelling Qatar’s late forays and their midfield dictating where the match was played.
The result knocks Qatar out of the World Cup and gives Bosnia & Herzegovina a timely surge of momentum heading into the decisive phase of Group B. Combined with Switzerland’s earlier win over Canada to go top, the group picture sharpened: Bosnia stay in the fight, while Qatar bow out after a spirited but ultimately insufficient response.