Victory in Bosnia: ÖFB Kickers Let Us Dream of the World Cup

Austria's national football team has taken a big step closer to the ticket for the 2026 World Cup. The ÖFB team won 2-1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Tuesday, securing their fourth win in the fourth qualifying match and is in second place in Group H, only due to a goal difference that is one goal worse than the Bosnians, with a game in hand. Marcel Sabitzer (49th) and Konrad Laimer (65th) scored for Austria, Edin Dzeko scored the 1-1 (50th).

Sold Out Stadium

13,600 spectators created an atmospheric backdrop in the sold-out Bilino Polje Stadium and saw the first attempt from Dzeko just seconds into the game. However, the veteran's attempt went well wide of the goal.

The Bosnians relied on their 39-year-old star for their forward play and otherwise mostly left the initiative to the guests, who initially knew little to nothing to do with the ball possession. As was the case against Cyprus, the ÖFB players struggled against a well-organized opponent. The rate of technical errors and misplaced passes was too high to put the opponent under pressure.

It only became really dangerous before the break in the 24th minute: After a free-kick chip from David Alaba, Michael Gregoritsch, who came into the starting lineup for Marko Arnautovic, brought the ball to the center, Bosnia's goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj deflected it forward to the feet of Philipp Lienhart, but the center-back shot well over the bar from the five-yard box. The second promising offensive scene occurred in the 41st minute. Christoph Baumgartner served Gregoritsch, whose shot, however, clearly missed the target.

Bosnia Strikes Back

Soon after the restart, the match took the desired turn from an Austrian perspective, at least for the time being. Schmid, who replaced Patrick Wimmer and was the second new player in the starting lineup alongside Gregoritsch, set up Gregoritsch. The Styrian played to the center, and the failed defensive attempt by Nihad Mujakic landed at the feet of Sabitzer, who volleyed the lead for Ralf Rangnick's team. Sabitzer had already scored the winning goal against Cyprus, back then in the 54th minute from a penalty.

The momentum was gone about 20 seconds after the kickoff. Gregoritsch lost the ball, Alaba couldn't prevent the pass from Ermedin Demirovic, Lienhart was poorly positioned, and Dzeko made it 1-1. Rangnick, who covered the long distances in the stadium on a bicycle due to his foot problems, reacted and brought in Wimmer, Florian Grillitsch, and Arnautovic after an hour.

Austria Holds the Lead

The latter was to play an important role in the creation of the decisive goal, as Arnautovic's deflected shot became the perfect assist for Laimer. The Bayern professional secured the 2-1 for the ÖFB team with a dry left-footed shot. Tarik Muharemovic, who grew up in Carinthia and was previously engaged with Austria Klagenfurt and WAC, lifted the offside. The 22-year-old even played five Bundesliga matches for Wolfsberger.

In the last quarter of an hour, the Bosnians were forced to be more offensive but failed to create a compelling chance. Wimmer received a yellow-red card (95th minute) for a foul on the substituted Salzburg youngster Kerim Alajbegovic, but the ÖFB team held the lead without major problems. The Rangnick team now has all the cards in hand in the race for the group victory, which means a guaranteed starting place for the finals in North America.

It continues on October 9 in Vienna against San Marino, three days later the duel with Romania in Bucharest takes place. The final match awaits on November 15 with an away game against Cyprus and on November 18 a home game against the Bosnians. The last match in the Happel Stadium is already sold out. By this day at the latest, the first World Cup participation since 1998 could be secured.

(APA/Red)

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