Imagine the tension of a World Cup qualifier hanging in the balance, with one team’s dreams on the line and another’s fate sealed in the final moments. That’s exactly what unfolded when Austria secured a dramatic late draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina, clinching their first World Cup berth since 1998. But here’s where it gets controversial: was it sheer determination or a stroke of luck that propelled Austria to the finish line? Let’s dive into the details.
In a high-stakes clash at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Austria needed just one point to qualify, while Bosnia & Herzegovina aimed to force a playoff. Despite the pressure, both teams kicked off with surprising intensity, defying expectations of a cautious start. The visitors struck first, silencing the home crowd in the 12th minute when Haris Tabakovic capitalized on Austria’s defensive lapse, heading home from a crowded six-yard box to give Bosnia the lead. And this is the part most people miss: Austria’s confidence seemed to crumble, and it took them until the 35th minute to register their first shot on target, with Nicolas Seiwald’s powerful strike denied by Nikola Vasilj’s alert save.
Drama peaked late in the first half when Austria thought they’d equalized through Konrad Laimer’s post-clanging shot, only for VAR to intervene. After a review, the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Laimer in the build-up—a decision that left the hosts stunned. The second half erupted into chaos, with Patrick Wimmer narrowly missing a close-range header for Austria, and Tabakovic squandering a golden chance to double Bosnia’s lead moments later.
As Austria’s automatic qualification hopes began to fade, Michael Gregoritsch emerged as the hero. In the 77th minute, after a ricochet off the bar and Vasilj’s mishandled punch, Gregoritsch pounced, slamming home the equalizer from close range. The Austrian capital erupted, but the drama wasn’t over. With Bosnia pushing for a winner, Austria nearly capitalized on the counter, only for Vasilj to deny Gregoritsch again.
Austria’s draw secured their place atop Group H with seven wins from eight matches, marking their return to the World Cup after a 24-year absence. For Bosnia & Herzegovina, the focus shifts to the European Play-Off draw on Thursday. Flashscore Man of the Match: Haris Tabakovic, whose early goal set the tone for a thrilling encounter.
But here’s the question: Did Austria truly earn their spot, or did Bosnia let it slip away? Was VAR’s intervention fair, or did it rob the game of its natural flow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one match that’s sure to spark debate!