Bosnia-Herzegovina Hold Off Qatar Rally to Secure 3-1 Victory

Bosnia-Herzegovina started on the front foot and looked the more dangerous side throughout the opening stages of the match. Ivan Šunjić and Ermedin Demirović both started strong with shots on target as Bosnia established control of possession and looked dangerous. 

Ivan Bašić grew increasingly influential as the half progressed. In the 22nd minute, he won a free kick in a dangerous shooting position, though the resulting effort was blocked by the Qatar wall shortly before the hydration break.

The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute. Bašić picked out Kerim Alajbegović, who created space with a clever dribble before unleashing a right-footed strike beyond the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The finish capped an impressive first-half display from Alajbegović, who always seemed to trouble the Qatar defense.

Bosnia doubled its advantage just five minutes later. A cross from the left found Edin Džeko in the penalty area, and the veteran striker's effort took a deflection off a defender before finding the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.

Džeko nearly added another in the 39th minute when he struck the post as Bosnia continued to push for a third goal.

Despite Bosnia's dominance for much of the half, Qatar found a way back into the match before the break.

After growing into the contest and enjoying more possession, Qatar pulled a goal back in the 43rd minute. Edmilson Junior delivered a dangerous ball across the box, and Hassan Al Haidos was there to finish from close range, cutting Bosnia's lead to 2-1.

The goal shifted momentum late in the half, and Qatar nearly found an equalizer in stoppage time. Pedro Miguel rattled the post as Bosnia survived a nervy finish and entered halftime clinging to a one-goal advantage.

The second half began with chances at both ends as neither side was content to sit back.

Alajbegović continued to impress for Bosnia, while Qatar produced several promising attacking sequences through its wide players and patient buildup play. One of the visitors' most dangerous moments came when a cross into the penalty area resulted in Bosnia's goalkeeper being struck by his own defender, nearly turning the ball into the net.

Qatar continued to threaten through the wings, but Bosnia gradually settled back into the match. Following the hydration break, Esmir Bajraktarević tested the goalkeeper with a shot on target as Bosnia began to regain control of possession.

Bosnia finally put the match away in the 80th minute.

There was chaos inside the Qatar penalty area, with multiple efforts blocked before the ball fell to substitute Ermin Mahmić. The midfielder reacted quickest and fired home from close range to restore Bosnia's two-goal cushion.

Qatar continued to push forward and earned several late corners, but Bosnia's defense stayed organized and prevented any serious comeback attempt.

The final whistle confirmed a deserved 3-1 victory for Bosnia-Herzegovina, which combined a dominant opening half-hour with a composed defensive performance down the stretch to close out Group B play on a positive note.