Zenica, MINA – Bosnia and Herzegovina trailed Italy 0-1 at halftime in the final 2026 World Cup Qualifying play-off match at Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica, Tuesday.
Italy’s lead was scored by Moise Kean (11) in the 15th minute. However, that lead was marred by a red card for Alessandro Bastoni (21) in the 42nd minute.
In the second half, the Azzurri played with ten men.
The lack of players forced Italy to resort to defensive tactics, with Bosnia struggling to break down the Italian defense.
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Moise Kean nearly doubled Italy’s lead in the 60th minute when he launched a solo counterattack, leaving the home team a step behind. However, his shot from outside the penalty area went just wide.
Bosnia and Herzegovina continued their barrage of attacks, attempting to break down the Italian defense. However, Gianluigi Donnarumma (1) and his teammates were unable to stop him. They didn’t give any chances.
In the 77th minute, Italy actually managed to attack and put the hosts under serious pressure, but only a threat after a missed corner kick.
However, after that miss, Bosnia’s attack paid off. Amar Dedic’s (7) cross from the left side of the Italian area in the 79th minute was met by a header from Edin Dzezko (11).
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Goalkeeper Donnarumma managed to block the close-range header. However, the ball fell straight to Haris Tabakovic (23).
Goal. The score was immediately level at 1-1 after Tabakovic put the ball into the net.
Excessive protests from Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso earned him a yellow card.
The match continued with increasing tension, and the 90 minutes ended 1-1.
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Extra Time
As before, in extra time, Bosnia and Herzegovina besieged the ball, while Italy defended and relied on counterattacks.
The home crowd was gripped by horror in the 102nd minute, when a through ball allowed Italy’s Marco Palestra (2) to get ahead of a Bosnian defender. This forced Tarik Muharemovic (4) to foul Palestra.
Palestra went down in the penalty area, but the referee awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area.
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Sandro Tonali’s free kick (8) failed to break through the barrier. The ensuing corner brought intense pressure, forcing goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj (1) to make a crucial save to keep out a close-range header.
Penalty Shootout: The Dragons Advance
The match ultimately went to a penalty shootout after no goals were scored at the end of the second extra period.
In the shootout, two Italian players missed their shots while four Bosnian players beat goalkeeper Donnarumma. The penalty shootout ended 4-1.
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The national team, nicknamed Zmajevi (The Dragons), qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The Italian players could only stand there in silence and weep at their failure. []
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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