On a scorching Saturday afternoon at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina continued their strong start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a narrow 1-0 victory over San Marino. The match, played under intense heat with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius, saw the hosts maintain their perfect record in Group H, securing all three points in front of a passionate home crowd of approximately 15,000 fans.
From the outset, Bosnia and Herzegovina asserted their dominance, taking early possession and pressing high against the lowest-ranked FIFA team, San Marino, who currently sit 210th in the world rankings. Despite the visitors’ spirited defensive efforts and a few promising counterattacks, the home side controlled the tempo and created the majority of scoring opportunities.
San Marino’s coach, Roberto Cevoli, acknowledged the challenge ahead, emphasizing his team's commitment to growth despite the odds. “Beyond this, we have prepared well and we will try to play a good game as always. We aim to continue the growth project started with these guys: we are aware of the difficulties in facing a very strong team like Bosnia and Herzegovina, however we will try to do what we have always done,” Cevoli said ahead of the match. His remarks highlighted the determination within the San Marino squad, even as they faced a vastly superior opponent.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s coach, Sergej Barbarez, called for caution despite his team’s favored status. Fielding a 4-4-2 formation, Barbarez emphasized the importance of resolving the match quickly and scoring as many goals as possible. “We are now in a bigger role of favorites than we were against Cyprus. Until now, when we played against stronger players than us, we always had to orient ourselves to their game, and now we are clear favorites and we will try to play more dominantly,” Barbarez explained during the pre-match press conference.
The veteran captain Edin Dzeko, who leads Bosnia and Herzegovina in appearances (140) and goals (67), was pivotal once again. At 39 years old, Dzeko showcased his enduring quality by scoring the decisive goal in the 66th minute. After a previous attempt was saved, he fired a precise right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, sending the home fans into jubilation and securing the win. This goal added to his illustrious international tally and underscored his importance to the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Despite the heat and the pressure, the first half remained goalless, with San Marino’s goalkeeper Pietro Amici making several key saves, including a critical stop against Samuele Zannoni’s clear chance just before halftime. The visitors also made early substitutions in the second half, bringing on Nicola Giacopetti, Giacomo Benvenuti, and Marcello Mularoni to bolster their squad. Bosnia and Herzegovina responded with their own changes, introducing Valli Casadei, Tarik Muharemovic, Amar Memic, and Amar Dedic to maintain their attacking momentum.
The match was marked by intense physicality and a few moments of medical attention, including treatment for Bosnia’s Haris Hajradinovic after a collision and San Marino’s Alberto Riccardi following a heavy blow. Despite these interruptions, the game’s pace remained high, with Bosnia consistently pressing for a second goal while San Marino sought to exploit any counterattack opportunities.
Statistically, Bosnia and Herzegovina have now won all three of their qualifying matches, including their earlier victories against Cyprus and Romania, positioning them strongly at the top of Group H. Meanwhile, San Marino, despite their historic struggles in World Cup and European Championship qualifiers—having never won in 164 attempts—continue to show signs of progress. Their recent promotion from UEFA Nations League League C, achieved with two victories over Liechtenstein, has injected a new sense of belief into the squad.
Key players for Bosnia such as Ermedin Demirovic, who had already scored 20 goals in the current season and found the net in the previous qualifier against Cyprus, played a significant role in maintaining offensive pressure. Sead Kolašinac, despite missing this match due to injury, remains a player to watch for the future. For San Marino, captain Matteo Vitaioli, with 97 caps, continues to be a leader on the pitch, although goals have been scarce for the microstate.
The atmosphere at Bilino Polje was electric throughout, with fans fully backing their team’s quest for World Cup qualification. The match also marked the official farewell of Miralem Pjanić to the national team, adding an emotional layer to the occasion for Bosnia and Herzegovina supporters.
Looking ahead, Bosnia and Herzegovina will aim to maintain their winning streak and extend their lead in the group, while San Marino will seek to build on their recent Nations League successes and gain valuable experience against top-tier opposition. The home team’s victory, secured by Dzeko’s clinical finish, keeps their World Cup dreams alive and cements their status as clear favorites in Group H.
With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers ongoing, this result is a strong statement from Bosnia and Herzegovina, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure and capitalize on key moments. San Marino, while still searching for their first qualifying win, showed resilience and a willingness to compete against the odds, reflecting the spirit of the game.
As the qualifiers progress, fans will be watching closely to see if Bosnia and Herzegovina can continue their impressive form and if San Marino can turn their recent growth into tangible results. For now, the Dragons of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrate a hard-fought victory on home soil, fueled by experience, determination, and the unwavering support of their fans.
