Bosnia-Herzegovina boosts chances of advancing at World Cup with 3-1 win over Qatar

SEATTLE (AP) — Ermin Mahmic stripped his jersey off, darted toward the corner of the pitch in front of Bosnia-Herzegovina's fans and pumped his right fist.

The 21-year-old Mahmic prompted thousands of the team's supporters at Lumen Field to celebrate Wednesday following his 80th-minute goal against Qatar in a 3-1 victory that boosted Bosnia-Herzegovina’s chances of advancing at the World Cup.

Mahmic, who had come on just past the hour mark, received a yellow card for removing his top.

It was worth it.

“We knew that the bookings are erased after the group stage," coach Sergej Barbarez said in Bosnian. “I also heard that he shed a tear. I think it was quite emotional for him.”

With the victory, the third-place finishing Bosnia is more than likely to advance to the Round of 32 in the expanded field. The eight best third-place finishers across the 12 groups advance.

Bosnia has played in only one other World Cup — 2014 in Brazil — and didn't get out of the group stage.

“We all wanted to write history, and make history," Barbarez said. “But, this was never initially, honestly, our plan. We still have to see whether we are going to progress to the next stage.”

Bosnia-Herzegovina's fate will be determined by how the rest of the group-stage matches play out. But, the party was on Wednesday after just 29 minutes when Kerim Alajbegovic became the eighth-youngest scorer in World Cup history.

The 18-year-old Alajbegovic powered a shot past Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada at the near post from 20 yards away to give Bosnia the lead.

“I’m really happy for him,” Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj said. "At that age, to be able to play such a big game and to score a goal, and he’s showing that he’s able to score goals.”

Bosnia tacked on a second goal in the 34th minute when Sead Kolasinac launched a cross to the back post. A volley to the middle by Edin Dzeko deflected off Qatar’s Sultan Al-Brake for an own goal.

Hassan Al Haydos kept Qatar competitive with a goal in the 42nd minute.

But Mahmic’s tally sealed Qatar's elimination — and a celebration for Bosnia.

The party was on the rest of the way for the country of roughly three million people. Just making it to the World Cup, let alone being on the verge of advancing, was a longshot.

Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a spot in the tournament by winning in penalty shootouts against Wales and four-time World Cup winner Italy in the European playoffs in March.

Depending on how the bracket shakes out, Bosnia will likely take on the underdog role once more. As a third-place finisher, Bosnia is in line to face the United States at Levi's Stadium on July 1 in the round of 32.

Barbarez avoided speculating about this matchup but is confident his team will be up for the task on the host country's soil.

“All of this is a bonus for us," Barbarez said. "We will be extremely relieved, and we will try to take on any team that comes our way. We are confident enough to face anyone.”

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Bosnia's Ermin Mahmic (26) celebrates after scoring scores his side's third goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Bosnia and Qatar in Seattle Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Bosnia's Ermin Mahmic celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match against Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Bosnia's Edin Dzeko, left, celebrates with Esmir Bajraktarevic after Qatar's Sultan Albrake scored an own goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Bosnia's Kerim Alajbegovic, right, celebrates with Esmir Bajraktarevic after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match against Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Bosnia's Kerim Alajbegovic (19) scores during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Bosnia and Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Alex Tuch is heading to Washington as the Capitals jumped the line for the top free agent available, and the Buffalo Sabres got something in return for a player they knew was not coming back.

The Capitals got Tuch in a sign-and-trade Wednesday, getting him after the Sabres inked him to an eight-year $84 million contract and dealt him for a 2027 third-round pick and the rights to pending free agent forward David Kampf. Tuch will count $10.5 million against the salary cap through the 2033-34 NHL season.

“Alex was a highly coveted player, and we are pleased that he chose to come to Washington,” Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said. “Alex is a top-six offensive forward who brings size, versatility and the ability to contribute in all situations.”

Tuch, 30, essentially orchestrated the deal by agreeing to go and benefited from the way the trade went down by getting an eight-year contract, as opposed to the limit of seven had he hit the open market next week.

It is Washington's second big addition in two days after acquiring winger Jordan Kyrou from St. Louis for the No. 16 pick in the draft, prospect Milton Gastrin and forward Connor McMichael. It is also Buffalo's second subtraction from its roster after sending defenseman Bo Byram to Chicago in a trade the Sabres acquired the No. 4 pick in the draft they're hosting this weekend.

The Sabres locked up an important player for the long term by signing Zach Benson to a seven-year contract worth $52.5 million. GM Jarmo Kekalainen called getting a deal done with Benson a priority after the 21-year-old agitating winger's productive playoff performance.

Also Wednesday, Nashville and Colorado made another swap, with the Predators getting Jack Drury, prospect Chase Bradley and a 2029 third-round pick for fellow forwards Zachary L’Heureux and Fedor Svechkov. It's the second trade between the teams since Chris MacFarland left his post as Avalanche GM to take over control of the Preds' hockey operations department in early June.

“Jack Drury is a hard-working, reliable, full-sheet of the ice center who can handle the tough assignments while being elite in the faceoff circle,” MacFarland said. “His addition to our forward group bolsters our depth in the middle of the ice, and we’re thrilled to have him."

More moves are expected in the leadup to the first round of the draft Friday and with free agency on the horizon next week.

“Sunday, the ball started to roll and now everybody’s on the treadmill,” Blue general manager Doug Armstrong said on a call with reporters. “It’s gone from a nice leisurely 2.5 walk (to) probably a 4.5 walk today and there’ll probably be a 6 jog tomorrow and an 8 run on Friday.”

San Jose GM Mike Grier, whose trading of young forward William Eklund to Ottawa for the No. 9 pick suggests the Sharks are not done dealing, observed that there is a lot of movement happening around the league. The salary cap is increasing to $104 million.

“The cap's going up: Teams have money to spend, for the most part, for the first time in a while,” Grier said. “On top of that, I think free agent market, the free agent class, this year might not excite a lot of people, so I think that’s leading to a lot trades and people being open to trying to improve their teams in different ways. There’s some good players out there, but prices are high."

Kekalainen said there had been no progress in contract talks with Tuch, who is coming off a season with 33 goals and 33 assists. The sign-and-trade allowed Tuch to get an eight-year deal, whereas he would have been limited to seven in free agency.

Like Tuch, Kekalainen said there was no movement with Byram, who he said expressed no interest in wanting to remain with the Sabres after his current contract expired next summer.

Whyno reported from New York.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

FILE - Colorado Avalanche center Jack Drury (18) in the first period of an NHL hockey game, April 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

FILE - Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) is stick checked by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, March 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)