Bosnia & Herz. 1 – 1 Italy

(4 – 1 on Penalties)

Bilino Polje Stadium • World Cup Qualifiers

 
GOAL 0-1
15′
Moise Kean
Assist: N. Barella
A. Bastoni
Professional Foul
41′
RED CARD
H. Tabakovic
Assist: Edin Džeko
79′
GOAL 1-1

Penalty Shootout (4 – 1)

✓ B. Tahirović
✓ H. Tabaković
✓ K. Alajbegović
✓ E. Bajraktarević
✗ F. Esposito (Wide)
✓ S. Tonali
✗ B. Cristante (Bar)
– Not Required
61%
Possession
39%
11
Shots on Target
3
36
Crosses
9
Bosnia & Herz.
1 (4)
VS
Italy
1 (1)
Bosnia win on Penalties

First Half: Italy Leads, Bastoni Sees Red

Italy asserted early dominance with 62% possession. In the 15th minute, Moise Kean capitalized on a defensive blunder to fire a right-footed strike home (0-1). However, the match shifted in the 41st minute when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for a professional foul on Memic, leaving Italy with 10 men.

Second Half: The Bosnian Siege

With a man advantage, Bosnia ramped up the pressure. After Donnarumma’s heroic saves, the breakthrough came in the 79th minute. Edin Dzeko provided a clinical assist for Haris Tabaković to tap in the equalizer. A tense VAR check confirmed the goal, forcing the game into extra time.

Extra Time: Defensive Resilience

Bosnia controlled 61% of the ball as Italy sat deep. Ermedin Demirovic nearly won it with an audacious bicycle kick in the 107th minute. Despite constant pressure and 36 crosses from the hosts, Italy’s 10-man defense held firm to force the deciding shootout.

Starting XI & Tactics

🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herz.

4-4-2
Goalkeeper
1. Nikola Vasilj
Defense
Dedić • Katić • Muharemović • Kolašinac
Midfield
Bajraktarevic • Bašić • Sunjic • Memic
Attack
Ermedin Demirović • Edin Džeko
Coach: Sergej Barbarez

🇮🇹 Italy

3-5-2
Goalkeeper
1. Gianluigi Donnarumma
Defense
Calafiori • Bastoni • Mancini
Midfield
Dimarco • Tonali • Locatelli • Barella • Politano
Attack
Mateo Retegui • Moise Kean
Coach: Gennaro Gattuso

Game-Changing Subs

BOSNIA
46′ B. Tahirović ↑
46′ K. Alajbegovic ↑
71′ Dženis Burnić ↑
72′ Haris Tabaković ↑
ITALY
44′ Federico Gatti ↑
46′ Marco Palestra ↑
71′ F. Pio Esposito ↑
85′ Davide Frattesi ↑
Match Summary & Statistics

Bosnia 1 – 1 Italy (4-1 Pen)

A heroic **Bosnia and Herzegovina** eliminated 10-man **Italy** at the Bilino Polje Stadium. Despite Moise Kean’s early goal, a professional foul by **Alessandro Bastoni** (41′) turned the tide. Bosnia dominated the second half, equalized through **Haris Tabaković**, and held firm through extra time before perfect clinical precision in the penalty shootout sealed the historic victory.

Top Players

★ Player of the Match
Edin Džeko

The veteran striker was the focal point, providing the **crucial assist** for the equalizer and dominating the aerial battles, constantly testing the Italian defense with 8 shots on target.

☆ Standout Performance
G. Donnarumma

Despite being on the losing side, Donnarumma’s **10 saves** single-handedly kept 10-man Italy in the game through normal and extra time, frustrating Bosnia’s siege.

☆ Young Impact
Tarik Muharemović

Introduced in the first half, the young defender showed immense composure, anchoring the backline against Moise Kean and later organizing the attack during Bosnia’s 61% possession dominance.

Match Statistics

BOSNIA METRIC ITALY
61% Possession 39%
11 Shots on Target 3
36 Crosses Attempted 9
10 Corner Kicks 4
2 Goalkeeper Saves 10
0 Red Cards 1

Disciplinary & VAR Report

Minute Player Team Action
41′ Alessandro Bastoni 🇮🇹 Italy RED CARD
54′ Benjamin Tahirović 🇧🇦 Bosnia YELLOW
81′ Gianluigi Donnarumma 🇮🇹 Italy YELLOW
103′ Tarik Muharemović 🇧🇦 Bosnia YELLOW
114′ Nikola Katić 🇧🇦 Bosnia YELLOW
120+1′ Davide Frattesi 🇮🇹 Italy YELLOW

VAR Reviews

42′
Red Card Check: Confirmed. Alessandro Bastoni sent off for a professional foul as the last man.
81′
Goal Check: Confirmed. Haris Tabaković’s equalizer ruled onside after a forensic review.
104′
Potential Red: Dismissed. Tarik Muharemović challenge on Palestra downgraded to yellow card.