Alajbegovic stunner helps Bosnia beat Qatar to keep their World Cup alive

Bosnia and Herzegovina kept their World Cup alive with a 3-1 win over Qatar in Seattle, a result that knocked the Gulf side out and left the Bosnians waiting to find out whether third place in Group B is enough to reach the round of 32.

Kerim Alajbegovic put them in front with the pick of the goals, and an own goal stretched the lead before half-time. Qatar hit back through Hassan Al-Haydos, but Ermin Mahmic settled it late on.

Alajbegovic lights up Seattle

The opener arrived just before the half-hour. Alajbegovic, one of the brighter young talents in the Bosnia squad, picked his spot from distance and gave the goalkeeper no chance. It was the standout strike of the night and set the tone for a confident Bosnian display.

Their lead doubled before the interval when a Qatar defender turned the ball into his own net under pressure. Qatar had a response in them, though, and Al-Haydos struck close to the break to make it 2-1 and give his side something to cling to at half-time.

Mahmic kills off the contest

Qatar pushed for an equaliser after the restart, but Bosnia held firm and grew back into the game. With ten minutes left Mahmic found the third, ending the resistance and easing any worry about goal difference counting against them in the third-place reckoning.

For Qatar the night ended their tournament. They finish bottom of Group B with a single point from three matches, their only return a draw against Switzerland earlier in the group, with a 6-0 hammering by Canada in between.

Where Bosnia stand

The win lifts Bosnia to four points, level with Canada but behind on goal difference, and into third place in Group B. In the expanded 48-team format the eight best third-placed teams join the group winners and runners-up in the round of 32, so Bosnia are not safe yet. Their fate rests on results elsewhere, and they face a nervous few days of scoreboard-watching to see whether four points holds up.

Switzerland had already won the group earlier in the night by beating Canada 2-1, with the host nation taking second. Bosnia’s task was the simpler one: win, and keep the door open. They did exactly that.

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