Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Wales 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in their 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final at Cardiff City Stadium. Daniel James scored a spectacular long-range goal for Wales, but Edin Dzeko equalized late for the visitors. Bosnia advances to face Italy in the final.
Wales hosted Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semi-final of the European play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26. The match marked the second anniversary of Wales' penalty shootout loss to Poland in a Euro 2024 qualifier. Harry Wilson struck the woodwork with a curling effort in the first half before Daniel James opened the scoring six minutes after halftime with a stunning long-range strike, catching goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj off guard. James, who missed a decisive penalty against Poland two years ago, appeared set for redemption. Leeds United's James had not started a Premier League match since November, underscoring head coach Craig Bellamy's trust in his selections, as noted by former Wales international Nia Jones. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow made a key save to tip Edin Dzeko's header away, but the 40-year-old former Manchester City striker glanced in Kerim Alajbegovic's corner four minutes from time to level the score at 1-1. In the shootout, Darlow saved Ermedin Demirovic's first kick, and Harry Wilson and Mark Harris converted for Wales. However, Brennan Johnson sent his effort over the bar, and Neco Williams' kick was saved by Vasilj. Bosnia's Haris Tabakovic, Ivan Basic, Amir Hadziahmetovic, and Kerim Alajbegovic scored to secure a 4-2 win. Wales captain Ethan Ampadu reflected on the defeat, telling BBC Sport: “We’ll always be together. We’re all professionals and, with the standards in this team, we’re always going to look back on what we could have done better. Maybe we could have managed the game better in the 10 minutes before they scored, to make sure we stayed on the front foot and attacking.” Bosnia will host Italy, who beat Northern Ireland 2-0, in the play-off final on Tuesday.
