The national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina is heading to the play-offs after drawing 1:1 against Austria in Vienna, a result that leaves the Dragons short of direct World Cup qualification.
BiH needed a victory to secure first place in Group H, and despite leading 1:0 until the 77th minute, Gregoritsch’s goal for Austria denied them the top spot.
The Dragons opened the match with a cautious approach, holding their ground in the first ten minutes as Austria intensified pressure around Vasilj’s goal. After surviving two dangerous moments, BiH stunned the home side in the 12th minute. Following a corner and chaos in the Austrian box, the ball landed with Memić, whose shot from the edge of the area was redirected into the net by Tabaković from close range to make it 1:0.
The strike sparked wild celebrations among more than 20,000 BiH supporters in the stands, while Austria struggled to regain composure for the next several minutes. The hosts eventually recovered and regained momentum, with Vasilj making crucial saves in the 36th and 39th minutes on attempts by Lienhart and Sabitzer.
In the 43rd minute, Laimer appeared to level the score, but VAR intervened, ruling out the goal due to a foul on Memić earlier in the play. Referee João Pinheiro reviewed the footage and confirmed the infringement.
Austria began the second half with heavy pressure, though Tabaković had a chance to double BiH’s lead in the 50th minute, only for an awkward bounce to send the ball past goalkeeper Schlager.
Bosnia and Herzegovina held firm until the 77th minute, when the defense finally broke. Sabitzer’s cross from the left found Arnautović, whose header hit the crossbar, and Gregoritsch reacted quickest to slot the rebound for the 1:1 equalizer.
The score remained unchanged until full time. Austria finished atop Group H with 19 points, securing direct passage to the World Cup, while Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 17 points, now look ahead to the play-offs, Klix.ba writes.
