Bosnia 4-1 Italy Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-offs Final: 10-Men Azzurri Crash Out In Penalties In Zenica

When is the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy FIFA World Cup 2026 playoff match?

The Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy FIFA World Cup 2026 playoff match will begin at 12:15 AM IST on Wednesday, April 1 (18:45 UTC on March 31). 

Where is the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy FIFA World Cup 2026 playoff match?

The Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy FIFA World Cup 2026 playoff match will be played at the Stadion BIlino Polje in Zenica.

Sergej Barbarez, Bosnia and Herzegovina coach: "We have the will to make the nation happy. We know how long we have been in a negative spiral in football, but we can be the ones to break the ice. I'm looking forward to the game against Italy. Our players who play in Italy [Atalanta's Sead Kolašinac and Sassuolo's Tarik Muharemović] will be especially motivated. It's only by winning games like these that you can be successful."

Gennaro Gattuso, Italy coach: "Anyone who does this job lives for nights like these, when you feel the tingling and the tension starts to rise. There's nothing better. If you don't feel like this, it means you should hang up your boots, or if you're a coach, quit. We have missed two World Cups, but you also cannot obsess over that and lose focus because we will need it. I have to instil confidence in the players. We have the ability to achieve our goal."

We will have the kick-off shortly from the Stadion BIlino Polje. Great atmosphere building inside the stadium.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-0 Italy

The pre-match formalities are done. We are now minutes away from the kick-off in an all-important tie as we find out which country punches its ticket to the upcoming World Cup in North America.

Great tempo to the game with the crowd to adding to the atmosphere. The home side, Bosnia, is wearing blue-and-yellow kit, while Italy is dressed in all-white.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-0 Italy 1'

In other big games tonight, Czechia have taken the lead against Denmark in the other World Cup qualifier, thanks to Sulc’s third-minute goal.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-0 Italy 5'

So far, the contest has swung back and forth between the two teams. Players of both teams asking questions of the defence.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-0 Italy 9'

My oh my! What an error from the BIH goalie Nikola Vasilj who passes it straight to Barella and the Inter Milan player plays a neat pass to Kean, who drives it past the BIH goalie and gives his side the lead.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 15'

Bosnia have responded strongly since conceding the first goal. Just then, Man City's Donnarumma parries away a thumping effort from Basic. Superb response this from the home team.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 20'

The Italians are pegged back in their own half with Bosnia piling on the pressure. Cross after cross but the Italians are holding on and defending well in their own half.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 25'

Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma has been the busiest goalie of the two teams so far, with Bosnia registering eight attempts to Italy’s two.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 30'

Sweden and Poland are level 1-1 whereas Czech Republic lead Denmark with a 1-0 scoreline. Kosovo and Turkey are yet to hit off.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 37'

Nightmare for the Italians as Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni is sent off! He is the last man as he chases Amar Memic but the Italian brings down the BIH forward and Clement Turpin immediately flashes red. Gattuso turns to the bench as he subs off Retegui and brings on Gatti.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 42'

Three minutes added in the HT as Italians look to go into the break with that slender lead. Huge HT team-talk coming up for both sides.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 45+1'

Half-time in Zenica as Italy head into the break with the edge, but are down to 10 men.

Players are on the field as we await the winner of this tie. Huge 45 mins for either sides.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 45'

Memic plays a wonderful delivery which swerves around the defence and reaches the box, where Demirovic tries to meet at the end of the delivery but fails at his diving header.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 48'

Bosnia are all over Italy.

First, Gatti blocks Basic’s shot after a quick one-two before Donnarumma parries away Alajbegovic’s shot at the near post.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 53'

Italians are in no hurry to throw or pass it around as they take their time to for a throw-in. Clement Turpin orders the ITA player to take it fast with BIH fans booing their opponents.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 59'

Italy break as Moise Kean charges between two defenders and in on goal, but he sends his effort wide.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 60'

We have crossed 60 minutes and still no goal for the Bosnians. Italy have defended well but for how long can they keep this going.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 64'

The atmosphere has mellowed down inside the stadium as Bosnia try to find an equaliser. Fans have grown nervous with Italians putting on a solid display.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 Italy 69'

Haris Tabakovic scores for Bosnia and it is level in Zenica. Tempers flare after the Bosnia goal with ITA boss and the captain being booked by Turpin for the protest.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy 81'

How costly will that miss from Moise Kean be! The forward had the best chance to bury the game but missed the target. Italy are now level in the game and Bosnia have their tails up.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy 83'

Donnarumma dives low to keep out a header by Demirovic, as Bosnia push Italy with extra time looming.

The momentum is with Bosnia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy 87'

Extra-time it is as both teams cannot find the second goal in regulation time.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy

Turkiye and Sweden have booked their tickets to the FIFA World Cup!

Turkiye beat Kosovo 1-0 while Sweden defeated Poland 3-2.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy

The teams are back for the restart in Zenica.

Italy’s Spinazzola is on for Dimarco.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy

Italy coach Gattuso  gets into an argument with Bosnian Bajraktarevic on the sidelines, urging the referee to look into the matter.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy 90'

Tonali stands over the free-kick but the Newcastle United star fails to clear the wall with his low shot. Soon after, Sebastiano Esposito sees his header saved off a corner by the Bosnian goalie.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy 105+1'

The final 15 minutes of play before the contest is forced to a shootout.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy 106'

Demirovic tries a overhead kick, but cannot keep it on target.

On the other end, Italy have a chance of their own, as Esposito beats his marker and shoots but the ball goes away for a corner.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy 108'

We are now few minutes away from the penalty shootout.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy 117'

Clement Turpin blows is FT whistle in extra-time as we still await the wnner.

Dzeko seems to have injured his shoulder. Penalties to start. Tensed moments these.

Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante miss their respective penalties and it seems ITA are heading out of the WC. Esmir Bajraktarević fires home the winning spot-kick as ITA crash out again.

Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 Italy

Spare a thought for Bosnia. The Bosnians are back at the World Cup for the first time in 12 years.

Bosnia-Herzegovina will be making their second-ever appearance at a World Cup finals, after reaching the 2014 tournament.

They go into Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.