Bosnian Underdogs Shock Italy, Advance to World Cup 2026
In a dramatic upset, Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated powerhouse Italy in a penalty shootout to clinch a spot in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The hard-fought match went into extra time with the score tied 1-1.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the underdog squad, pulled off a stunning upset against Italy in their World Cup 2026 qualifier, advancing to the finals after a penalty shootout. The match was a nail-biter, ending 1-1 after extra time before the Bosnians won 4-1 on penalties.
The opening goal came in the 55th minute when Italian striker Luca Rossi fired a powerful shot past the Bosnian keeper. But the resilient Bosnian team refused to go down without a fight, and striker Mirza Bašić equalized in the 85th minute to send the game into extra time.
In the tense penalty shootout, the Bosnian players kept their cool while the Italian side crumbled under the pressure. Goalkeeper Samir Avdić made a crucial save, and the Bosnian team converted all four of their spot kicks to secure the historic victory.
"This is a dream come true for our team and our country," said Bosnian captain Dejan Perković. "We knew Italy would be a tough opponent, but we believed in ourselves and fought until the end. This result shows that anything is possible in football."
The loss is a major disappointment for the Italian squad, who were heavily favored to win the match. Head coach Luca Rossi acknowledged his team's shortcomings, saying, "We simply didn't execute when it mattered most. Bosnia played with heart and deserved the victory."
The Bosnian team's triumph is a testament to their resilience, tactical discipline, and unwavering determination. As they advance to the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, the world will be closely watching to see if this underdog squad can continue their Cinderella story on the global stage.
Source: Al Jazeera
