Bosnia-Herzegovina moved to the brink of reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after a 3-1 victory over 2022 hosts Qatar in their final Group B match.

The win lifted Bosnia to four points, putting them in a strong position to advance as one of the best eight third-placed teams to the last 32. Qatar, meanwhile, exited at the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup.

Bosnia dominated early, testing Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada twice in the first four minutes. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic, Bosnia's youngest ever World Cup player, scored a stunning long-range goal.

Five minutes later, Edin Dzeko's shot deflected off al-Brake and Abunada for an own goal. Dzeko, winning his 150th cap, also hit the post shortly after.

Qatar pulled one back in the 42nd minute through veteran Hassan al-Haydos, their most capped player. However, al-Haydos limped off injured in the 55th minute, ending his World Cup in tears.

Ermin Mahmic sealed the win in the 80th minute with his second goal in as many games, celebrating by ripping off his shirt and earning a yellow card.

Source: www.aljazeera.com