Hello and welcome to the Seattle Stadium for this evening’s FIFA World Cup Group B encounter between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Qatar. I’m William Munt and I’ll be guiding you through the action, as well as keeping you up to date with the other Group B fixture between Canada and Switzerland, alongside the potential consequences of any goals that go in.
Both sides are currently on one point, having drawn their first and lost their second game, meaning that both will be desperate to secure all three points and give them the best possible chance of progressing through to the next round.
Only a win will do for Qatar, whilst Bosnia will be all be out, if they cannot secure all three points.
Both Bosnia and Qatar have made four changes from their last games, three of which are enforced due to suspensions.
From a Bosnian perspective, Sergej Barbarez makes the enforced change of Stjepan Radlejic for Tarik Muharemovic, who is suspended following his red card against Switzerland.
Arjan Malic, Ivan Basic and Kerim Alajbegovic come in for Amar Dedic, Benjamin Tahirovic and Amar Memic in their other changes.
Qatar manager Julen Lopetegui faced an even greater challenge, with both Assim Madibo and Homam Elamin suspended following their red cards against Canada.
Ahmed Fathi and Karim Boudiaf replace them, whilst they are joined in Qatar’s line up by Sultan Al Brake and Hassan Al Haidos.
Ayoub Al Ouhi and Yusuf Abdurisag also drop to the bench.
KICK OFF: Venezuelan referee Jesús Noel Valenzuela Sáez blows his whistle and Bosnia get this all-important Group B clash underway.
2′ The first chance of the game goes to Bosnia, with Ermedin Demirovic forcing Qatari goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada into an early save. Demirovic spins and shoots with his left foot, only for Abunada to dive to his left and push the ball to safety.
3′ Bosnia are right on top here in the early stages and could already be ahead, if not for another acrobatic intervention from Abunada. This time it’s Ivan Sunjic who pulls the trigger from distance, but Abunada springs to his left once more and pushes the ball behind for an early Bosnian corner.
Embed from Getty ImagesA busy start to the game for this man, who will be hoping to banish the memories of last Thursday, when he shipped six goals against Canada.
8′ Qatar get their first chance to attack from an Akram Afif corner, but his delivery is poor and puts his own side onto the back foot, with Ahmed Fathi coming across to knock the ball into touch.
11′ Edmílson Junior thought he was away for Qatar though, following a lofted pass from Fathi, however – Junior had gone too early and is stopped in his tracks by the assistant referee’s flag.
13′ This time it’s Afif who gets in behind the Bosnia defence and looks to drive towards goal. He appears to get in behind the defence, only for Sunjic to slide in and toe poke the ball back to goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, who clears.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite Bosnia’s early flurry of chances, Edin Dzeko has yet to impose himself upon the game and Qatar appear to be growing in confidence.
17′ Another pop from distance from Bosnia fails to find the back of the net, this time failing to find the target altogether.
Ivan Basic fancies his chances from distance, after spinning away neatly from his defender, but his left footed effort from 30 years out is comfortably watched over the bar by Abunada.
A reminder that the other game in this group is happening simultaneously, with Canada taking on Switzerland in Vancouver. The winner of this match will take the spoils and top Group B.
21′ Bosnia win a free kick in dangerous territory, as Jassem Gaber pulls down Basic just outside the penalty area.
23′ Basic steps up and takes the free kick, but hits it straight into the wall. Boualem Khoukhi is down, having taken the full force of Basic’s strike in the face.
HYDRATION BREAK STAT ATTACK: Qatar’s starting line-up for this fixture is the fifth oldest in a World Cup match, since records began in 1966. The average age of their squad is 31 years and 213 days.
26′ We’re underway again in Seattle, with Arjan Malic getting us going from a drop ball.
27′ Gaber is the guilty man again for Qatar, this time bringing down Kerim Alajbegovic on the left-hand side of the penalty area.
Once again, Bosnia fail to make the most of the opportunity, with Nikola Katic failing to get the required contact on his header and the ball spinning behind for a goal kick.
29′ GOAL: 1 – 0 to Bosnia and their dominance finally makes the difference! It’s an outstanding piece of individual brilliance from Alajbegovic!
He picks up the ball on the left hand side of the penalty area, side steps a couple of tackles and then unleashes a powerful right-footed drive beyond the reach of Abunada and into the top corner!
33′ Bosnia are right on top now and have another chance to fill the penalty area, after winning another corner. However, Qatar are able to deal with the delivery relatively comfortably and see the ball out for a goal kick.
34′ GOAL: 2 – 0 to Bosnia, but this time it’s an own goal from the unfortunate Sultan Al Brake! Dzeko pulls away to the far post and attempts to side foot the ball back across the box, only for his cross to strike the knee of Al Brake, wrong footing Abunada and sneaking in at the near post!
With just under 10 minutes left of the first half, it already feels a long way back for Qatar and Bosnia appear to be well on their way to a vital three points!
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat a way to announce yourself at your first World Cup! 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic set this game alight with a stunning opening goal!
37′ HITS THE POST! It could have been three for Bosnia and Qatar need to be careful that they avoid another embarassment here.
Dzeko almost gets in on the act, running onto a through ball and firing a left footed shot towards goal, which comes back off the base of the far post.
STAT ATTACK: Qatar have conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes of this half, with no team having conceded more in this period, so far at the tournament.
42′ GOAL: Qatar pull it back to 2 – 1! Out of nowhere Qatar are back in this game! Pedro Miguel’s cross finds its way across the Bosnia penalty area, where it finds Junior at the back post. He cooly taps the ball back across the six yard box, where Qatar captain Hassan Al Haidos cooly slots in to reduce the arrears!
Bosnia are suddenly on the ropes, with Junior working some space on the edge of the penalty area, although his cross is safely claimed by Vasilj.
Embed from Getty ImagesA vital goal for this man’s side in their pursuit of qualifying for the knockout rounds at a World Cup for the first time. How will this change Julen Lopetegui’s half-time team talk?
45 + 3′ HITS THE POST! It almost changed even more, with Miguel almost pulling Qatar level! The full-back strikes towards goal with his right foot, only to see his effort cannon off the upright, before firing over the bar, after the ball found its way back to him!
We’re into the final minute of an enthralling first half here and indeed that’s that, with the Venezuelan referee blowing his whistle to bring the action to an end.
Well, who saw that coming? At 2 – 0 to Bosnia, the game seemed almost done and the European side were sitting relatively pretty. However, Al Haidos’ goal has blown this game wide open and both sides are still in with a chance of moving onto four points, which could be enough to see them progress.
Embed from Getty ImagesHassan Al Haidos became only the second Qatari player to the score at the World Cup, after Mohammed Muntari in 2022.
As it stands Bosnia will finish third in Group B and Qatar will finish bottom, meaning that they will be eliminated. It’s highly likely that four points will be enough for Bosnia to qualify, as one of the best third-placed sides.
FUN FACT: Another fun fact for you, whilst we wait for the action to get underway once more in Seattle! Qatar have faced the most shots so far in this World Cup, facing more than double their opponents this evening.
The other game in Group B is currently goalless at half-time, which ultimately suits both Canada and Switzerland. Canada will go through in first place, with Switzerland progressing as runners-up.
We’re a few minutes away from getting underway for the second half, so feel free to grab a bite to eat and a drink, before joining us once more for the second half.
Will Qatar be able to find a way back into the game or will Bosnia be able to replicate their dominance from early in the first half?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
The players are just emerging from the tunnel here in Seattle and we have news of a goal to bring you from Vancouver. The hosts have fallen behind, with Ruben Vargas putting Switzerland ahead, which sees them leapfrog Canada into first place.
KICK OFF: We’re back underway here, with news of three substitutions to bring you.
Sunjic and Malic have both been replaced for Bosnia, with Amar Memic and Benjamin Tahirovic coming on.
Meanwhile, Abdulaziz Hatem has replaced Gaber for Qatar. This feels like a wise decision from Qatar’s experienced manager, Julen Lopetegui, given the fact that Gaber was guilty of a couple of niggly fouls in quick succession, midway through the second half.
48′ An important intervention at the back from Bosnia prevents Qatar getting in behind early on in the second half.
49′ Sead Kolasinac whips the ball into the middle, but no one in a Bosnia shirt can get their head on it, meaning that it drifts harmlesly through to Abunada.
51′ Bosnia almost make it 3 – 1, but the link up play between Demirovic and Dzeko is slightly off this time. Demirovic looks to head the ball in the direction of the former Manchester City man, but the ball is just ahead of Dzeko and he is unable to poke towards goal.
Switzerland have just doubled their lead in Canada, thanks to the in-form Johan Manzambi. His right footed strike squirms through Maxime Crépeau, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb.
Embed from Getty ImagesQatar are used to having to try to come from behind at the World Cup, having trailed at half time in all of the six World Cup games. However, they will need to try to convert this deficit into three points for the first time ever today, if they are to progress.
57′ A first real chance of the second half for Qatar falls to Afif, but he is unable to take it. Junior slips him down the left hand side of the Bosnia defence, but the Qatari forward only manages to find the side netting.
60′ Afif is starting to look increasingly dangerous for Qatar, who are just starting to find their attacking feet in this second half. He finds a yard of space just outside the box, although he only manages to curl over the bar. Much better from Qatar though.
61′ Another half chance for Qatar, who get in behind the Bosnian defence, only for their cross to be cut off, before it reaches Afif in the middle.
62′ We’re just having a brief stoppage here, with both Vasilj and Katic requiring medical attention, after Vasilj collided with his teammate, when claiming a header back across the box from Miguel.
STAT ATTACK: Bosnia had each of the first nine shots in this match, but Qatar have now had each of the last six.
There has also been another double change for Bosnia, with Dennis Hadzikadunic and Ermin Mahmic replacing Katic and Dzeko.
Embed from Getty ImagesAkram Afif is looking more and more dangerous for Qatar, who will hope that he can conjure something special to draw them level in this game.
It’s time for the second hydration break of this match – you can pass the time by voting for who you think should be the Player of the Match in both the Group B games this evening.
You can also watch the Qatari celebrations at the Seattle Stadium, when Al Haidos become the second Qatari player to score at a World Cup.
Promise David has just pulled a goal back for Canada, with just under 15 minutes of their match against Switzerland remaining. As it stands though, Switzerland will still top the group though, with Canada finishing second.
75′ The largely uninspiring second half of this match is continuing, with Esmir Kajraktarevic’s attempt to make something happen only resulting in a wayward left-footed shot that flies comfortably over the Bosnian bar.
78′ The first yellow card of this game arrives in the 78th minute, with the referee brandishing it in the direction of Qatar’s Fathi, after he chopped down Alajbegovic.
80′ Speaking of Alajbegovic, he finally forces Abunada into action once more, firing another left-footed shot towards goal that the Qatari goalkeeper does well to turn behind for a corner.
GOAL: 3 – 1 to Bosnia and surely that’s the three points in the bag! Following the corner, the ball bounces around in the penalty area, before it’s poked in the direction of second half substitute Ermin Mahmic. He keeps his composure and slots the ball towards goal, with Abunada unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line.
Mahmic also picks up a yellow card for removing his shirt, in the aftermath of his goal.
Bosnia manager Sergej Barbarez still looks slightly restless, but he must now be confident that his side can see out this game and will finish the group with four points.
Embed from Getty ImagesAn aerial look of Mahmic’s celebration that led to his yellow card against Qatar, after he put his side 3 – 1 ahead. He is also now Bosnia’s highest scoring player at World Cups, with two goals, having also scored from the bench against Switzerland last time out.
86′ A desperate attempt from Qatari substitute Ahmed Al Ganehi flies comfortably over the crossbar. With time running out, they will need some magic sooner rather than later.
They were almost in there though, only for Almoez Ali’s ball back across the box to be cut out, before it reaches his teammate.
Despite the scare that Al Haidos gave them late on in the first half, Bosnia are now firmly on the way to the knock-out stages, which would be a special day for the nation and also young Alajbegovic.
We’re into six minutes of added time here and the writing is well and truly on the wall for Qatar, who are facing an early exit from the 2026 World Cup.
90 + 4′ Qatar aren’t going down without a fight though, with the tireless Miguel firing towards goal from close to 40 yards out though, although Vasilj appears comfortable enough in tipping over the bar.
Until Miguel’s strike, Qatar had been yet to have a shot on target in the second half.
It’s all over in Vancouver, with Switzerland running out 2 – 1 winners against Canada. The Swiss top the group, with the Canadians having to settle for second place at their home World Cup.
We’re 30 seconds away from the conclusion of this game and Group B at this World Cup.
FULL TIME: And there it is! The full-time whistle blows and Bosnia have defeated Qatar 3 – 1! Bosnia finish on four points and are in with a solid shout of qualifying for the knock-out stages as one of the eight best third placed sides!
It’s a well deserved three points for Bosnia, who were dominant throughout and provided the real moments of quality across the game. Kerim Alajbegovic’s stunner and Sultan Al Brake’s unfortunate own goal put them in the driving seat, only for Qatar captain Hassan Al Haidos to pull a goal back from out of nowhere.
The second half was much quieter, with neither side managing to fashion many clear cut chances. Substitute Emin Mahmic duly made the three points safe for Bosnia though, slotting home with 10 minutes of the second half remaining.
Bosnia will now face a nervous wait to see if they progress, however – this is likely, given that today’s victory saw them finished with four points.
Today’s results mean that Switzerland have finished top of Group B, with Canada also progressing as runners-up, despite their defeat.
As mentioned, Bosnia are now likely to go through, but defeat means that Qatar are out.
Thanks for sticking with us throughout this evening – we hope that you’ve enjoyed our coverage and will be back again soon!
Still to come this evening, Morocco face Haiti and Scotland take on Brazil to conclude Group C, before Group A ends in the early hours, with Czech Republic playing Mexico and South Africa facing South Korea.
Who will join Switzerland and Canada in the knock-out stages? Will Scotland join Bosnia in facing a nervous wait? Will Brazil’s stars shine on the global stage?
We hope you enjoy the rest of the action this evening – goodnight!