Džeko and Katic through to World Cup round of 32 after Qatar win

Katic and captain Džeko were both in the starting XI in front of 66,925 spectators at Lumen Field in Seattle, and the Schalke striker was heavily involved in a strong first half. Kerim Alajbegovic put Bosnia-Herzegovina ahead (29’) before Džeko helped force the second five minutes later, with Sultan Al-Brake turning his first-time effort into his own net to make it 2-0 (34’). Džeko then came close to adding a third almost immediately, only to be denied by the post (38’).

Qatar gave themselves a route back into the game before half time, as Hassan Al-Haydos finished from close range after a ball across the box to halve the deficit (42’). They stayed on the front foot after the break and pushed for an equaliser, while the evening came to an end for both Schalke players shortly after the hour mark. Katic was replaced by Dennis Hadzikadunic (63’), before Ermin Mahmic came on for Džeko a minute later (64’).

That change proved decisive for Bosnia-Herzegovina. With Qatar still pressing for a leveller, Mahmic struck to make it 3-1 (80’) and settle the contest. Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Canada in the other Group B fixture means Bosnia-Herzegovina finish third behind those two sides, but four points and a goal difference of -1 are already enough to guarantee their place among the best eight third-placed teams and a spot in the next round.