Bosnia and Herzegovina will face Italy for a spot within the 2026 World Cup after Nikola Vasili’s heroics earned them a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory towards Wales, who usually drew 1-1.
After Brennan Johnson despatched his penalty flying over the bar, Vasili darted out to his left to disclaim Neco Williams and Kerim Alajbegovic stepped as much as seal a spot within the play-off ultimate.
Wales began nicely and within the twenty second minute Harry Wilson virtually put a shot in entrance of aim, however the in-form Fulham midfielder curled his shot into the highest of the left publish.
Wilson then well stopped Vasili from a deft free-kick down the suitable, however Wales had been unable to discover a breakthrough within the opening 45 minutes.
But it surely took simply six minutes after the restart for his group to take the lead, when James, who was behind Benjamin Tahirovic’s tried clearance, took a contact and smashed an outstanding half-volley previous Vasili’s close to publish.
Karl Darlow then made a sensational cease to disclaim Elmedin Demirovic a header, however Wales’ hearts had been damaged 4 minutes earlier than the ultimate whistle.
Kerim Alaibegovic’s nook was slotted house by Edin Dzeko, which compelled additional time, and Wales got here closest to a winner when Johnson headed again Solva Thomas’ cross, however nobody may get the decisive contact.
The penalty shoot-out began with Darlow saving Demirovic’s spot-kick and Wales took the lead with Wilson and Mark Harris stepping up, however they had been unable to transform their benefit.
Johnson fired a fierce shot from 12 yards to go, however Williams was thwarted by Vasili and Alaybegovic despatched Darlow the opposite approach, establishing subsequent Tuesday’s match towards Italy at Zenica.
Arai Begovic scores. Bosnia gained the shootout.
English:
boss:— Wales (@Cymru) March 26, 2026
Knowledge Report: Dzeko continues to show age is only a quantity
Dzeko was barely concerned within the recreation till Bosnia’s equalizer within the 86th minute, one other necessary intervention for the 40-year-old.
He has now scored six objectives in eight video games within the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Since 2010 World Cup qualifying, solely Poland’s Robert Lewandowski (34 objectives) and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (34 objectives) have scored extra objectives in World Cup qualifiers than Dzeko total (30 objectives in 44 video games).
In the meantime, Wales are winless in all 5 video games towards Bosnia (D3 L2). The one matches they didn’t win had been towards Serbia (13 instances, together with the match as Yugoslavia), the Netherlands (10 instances) and Sweden (7 instances).
However they’d an opportunity. Craig Bellamy’s facet completed with a complete anticipated objectives (xG) of 1.19 on 19 pictures, whereas Bosnia had 1.02 on 14 pictures.
