Bosnia stuns Wales in dramatic World Cup playoff victory on penalties
Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a dramatic World Cup qualification playoff win over Wales on penalties. Edin Džeko's late equaliser in the 86th minute forced extra time, before Bosnia triumphed in the shootout. The defeat ended Wales' hopes of reaching the tournament, leaving manager Craig Bellamy to reflect on a heartbreaking night. Wales had taken the lead through Dan James, but Džeko's header from a late corner levelled the score at 1-1. The match went to penalties, where Bosnia converted all their spot kicks. Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams missed theirs, sealing Wales' fate.
Before the game, Bellamy had warned his players to stay disciplined and avoid chaos. His words went unheeded as the team struggled to hold their lead. After the final whistle, an emotional Bellamy gathered his players on the pitch, vowing to continue as manager despite the crushing loss. He later spoke of his determination to rebuild and move forward.
Džeko's goal extended his international impact, but his club career also saw changes. In July 2025, he signed a one-year deal with AC Florence, making 18 appearances and scoring twice, mostly as a substitute. By December, he captained the side into the UEFA Conference League knockout phase before leaving in January 2026. A move to Schalke 04 followed, where he scored on debut against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. A red card in March led to a one-match ban, later reduced.
Meanwhile, Wales were not the only team to suffer late heartbreak. The Republic of Ireland's qualification hopes ended after conceding a late goal to the Czech Republic in their own playoff. The loss marks the end of Wales' World Cup campaign, with Bellamy now facing the task of regrouping the squad. Bosnia advance to the next stage, while Džeko's form for club and country keeps him in the spotlight. For Ireland and Wales, the focus shifts to future tournaments after narrow misses this time around.
