Bosnia and Herzegovina stood tall at home to secure their second-ever World Cup berth, defeating Italy 4–1 in a thrilling penalty shootout. With this result, the 2006 World Champions have sensationally failed to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup.
The match began in Italy’s favor, with Moise Kean capitalizing on a costly blunder by goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to open the scoring. However, the Azzurri suffered a massive blow just before the halftime whistle when Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card.
Gennaro Gattuso’s men showcased defensive resilience, holding their narrow lead for nearly the entire second half despite the man disadvantage. Their resistance finally crumbled with just 10 minutes remaining in regulation, as Haris Tabakovic found the back of the net to level the score for Bosnia.
After remaining deadlocked through extra time, the match moved to a penalty shootout where Italy’s composure completely vanished. With missed attempts from Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante, Bosnia and Herzegovina clinical from the spot, converting every penalty to secure a historic qualification and leave Italy out of the 2026 World Cup.
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Bosnia defeated Italy 4-1 in a penalty shootout to clinch a spot in the 2026 World Cup and you lived every moment with Bolavip!
Bosnia score and win the game!!
Bosnia clinch a spot in the 2026 World Cup!!
Italy miss!
Bryan Cristante misses Italy's third penalty!
Bosnia score!
Kerim Alajbegovic scores Bosnia's third penalty!
Italy score!
Sandro Tonali scores Italy's second penalty!
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Bosnia score!
Tabakovic scores Bosnia's second penalty!
Italy miss!
Pio Esposito misses Italy's first penalty!
Bosnia score!
Benjamin Tahirovic scores Bosnia's first penalty!
Second half of extra time ends, as the game goes to penalties! (1-1)
The tension at Bilino Polje Stadium is at a breaking point! After 120 minutes of a 1–1 deadlock, a ticket to the 2026 World Cup will be decided from the penalty spot.
120'+1- Yellow card in Italy (1-1)
Davide Frattesi received a yellow card.
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118'- Bosnia almost score! (1-1)
Following a corner kick, the ball fell perfectly for Benjamin Tahirovic on the edge of the box. He unleashed a thunderous strike that fizzed just inches wide of Donnarumma’s post, nearly snatching a victory in the dying seconds!
115'- Modification in Bosnia (1-1)
Ermedin Demirovic was replaced by Amir Hadziahmetovic.
113'- Yellow card in Bosnia (1-1)
Nikola Katic received a yellow card.
110'- Penalties looming (1-1)
If the score remains deadlocked through these final minutes, a ticket to the 2026 World Cup will be decided by the drama of a penalty shootout.
Second half of overtime is underway (1-1)
The second half of overtime begins, with both sides pushing for a decisive goal to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup.
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First half of overtime ends
The first half of extra time comes to a close with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy still locked at 1-1.
105'- What a save by Nikola Vasilj! (1-1)
Pio Esposito connected with a powerful header that looked destined for the back of the net, but Nikola Vasilj produced an incredible reaction save to keep the scores level!
With a man advantage, the hosts are throwing everything forward in extra time. Bosnia are camping in the Italian half, relentlessly hunting for the decisive goal that would secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
91'- Modification in Italy (1-1)
Federico Dimarco was replaced by Leonardo Spinazzola.
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90'- Overtime begins! (1-1)
The first half of overtime is underway!
Full time! (1-1)
After a 1-1 draw, the game goes to overtime!
90'- Stoppage time! (1-1)
The referee added three more minutes!
86'- Another great save from Donnarumma! (1-1)
After a great header by Demirovic, Donnarumma saved Italy once again to keep the score 1-1!
After a well-worked attacking sequence, Federico Dimarco found a pocket of space inside the box, but his low strike flashed wide of Nikola Vasilj’s far post.
72'- What a save from Donnarumma! (0-1)
Benjamin Tahirovic nearly leveled the score with a stinging effort, but Gianluigi Donnarumma stepped up once more with a heroic save to preserve Italy’s slim lead!
69'- Modifications in both teams (0-1)
Bosnia: Ivan Basic and Amar Memic were replaced by Haris Tabakovic and Dzenis Burnic.
Italy: Moise Kean and Manuel Locatelli were replaced by Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante.
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64'- Italy dominating with 10-men (0-1)
Despite playing a man down, the Azzurri are surprisingly dominant in the second half. Italy are dictating the flow with 64% possession, showing total superiority over Bosnia as they look to protect their lead.
59'- What a miss by Kean! (0-1)
Moise Kean stripped the ball in midfield and sprinted clear for a massive one-on-one opportunity against the keeper, but he sent his strike soaring over the crossbar!
54'- Yellow card in Bosnia (0-1)
Benjamin Tahirovic received a yellow card after a foul on Tonali.
51'- Great save from Donnarumma! (0-1)
Alajbegovic unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, but Donnarumma made a great save to keep the score 1-0.
46'- Modifications in both teams (0-1)
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ivan Sunjic and Sead Kolasinac were replaced by Benjamin Tahirovic and Kerim Alajbegovic.
Italy: Matteo Politano was replaced by Marco Palestra.
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The second half is underway!
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy are already playing the second half!
First half summary
Bosnia and Herzegovina started the match in strong form, but a costly blunder by goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj allowed Moise Kean to open the scoring in the 14th minute, shifting the momentum of the first half.
Following the goal, Italy dictated the tempo of the game, but the dynamic changed again in the 41st minute when Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card following a harsh challenge on Memic. Now, the Azzurri must protect their lead playing with ten men as they fight to secure their return to the World Cup stage.
Halftime!
The game goes to halftime!
44'- Katic with another try! (0-1)
For the second time tonight, Bosnia defender Katic wins the aerial duel, but once again, Gianluigi Donnarumma is there to pull off a save.
43'- First substitution of the game (0-1)
Italy's Mateo Retegui was replaced by Federico Gatti.
Demirovic rises highest to connect with a header, but the ball whistles agonizingly past the post as Bosnia narrowly miss out on drawing level!
34'- Which group will the winner of this match be placed in? (0-1)
The winner of this game will go to Group B of the World Cup, where Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland await.
29'- Italy dominating the first half (0-1)
The Azzurri are dominating proceedings with 64% possession, looking far superior to the hosts as they dictate the tempo of the match.
24'- Nice save from Donnarumma! (0-1)
Nikola Katic nearly found the equalizer with a powerful header, but Gianluigi Donnarumma was perfectly positioned to make the save and maintain Italy's lead.
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19'- Bosnia looking for the equalizer (0-1)
Following a massive blunder by the Bosnian goalkeeper that gifted Italy the opening goal, the hosts are pushing hard for an immediate equalizer. However, the Italian defense remains organized and compact.
The home side has started the stronger of the two, dictating the tempo and gradually pushing deep into the Italian half during the first 10 minutes of play.
5'- First shot of the game from Bosnia and Herzegovina (0-0)
Ermedin Demirovic registered the first shot on target of the game, that Donnarumma saved easily.
GAME ON!
The game between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy is underway!
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Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the field for their national anthems. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
Italy's potential outcomes
Italy face three distinct scenarios for today’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. A win would send them to the Group B of the World Cup, alongisde Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
A draw after 90 minutes would send the match into extra time, consisting of two 15-minute halves. If the deadlock persists, a penalty shootout will determine the winner. However, if Italy lose today, they will be officially eliminated, marking a historic third consecutive World Cup absence for the Azzurri.
Today's referees
French referee Clement Turpin has been appointed to officiate the clash between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy. He will be joined on the field by Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Pages, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.
Full officiating team:
Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pages (FRA)
Fourth official: Jose Maria Sanchez (SPA)
VAR: Jerome Brisard (FRA)
Both teams doing warm up activities
Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at the Bilino Polje Stadium!
Bosnia and Herzegovina lineup confirmed!
Bosnia and Herzegovina's starting XI: Vasilj; Memic, Muharemovic, Katic, Kolasinac; Dedic, Sunjic, Basic; Demirovic, Dzeko, Bajraktarevic.
🇧🇦🆚🇮🇹 Još sat i 20 minuta do početka utakmice - do velikog finala.
Selektor Sergej Barbarez izabrao je 11 Zmajeva koji će večeras početi utakmicu.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy clash at the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Welcome to our live blog of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers! Bosnia and Herzegovina host Italy in Zenica for the Path A playoff final, where only one team will clinch its spot in the prestigious tournament!
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, bringing his expertise in soccer, NBA, and tennis to deliver original content while providing live coverage of important events.
