Zenica, Prague, Stockholm, Pristina - a drama that only football can direct, especially when the stakes are as high as when the last cards for the World Cup are being dealt.
And the heroes are our neighbors - the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team that flew to the World Cup via giants Italy. After 120 minutes and penalty shootout 1:1 (4:1). A night for all time was staged at "Bilino Polje".
Starting tonight, the Czech Republic will be at the World Cup after 20 years, Sweden, one of the worst qualifying teams, as well as Turkey, which is returning to the big stage for the first time since the golden generation of 2002.
Italy? How can you explain that the four-time world champion will be watching the World Cup for the third time in a row next to a TV screen?
An Argentine atmosphere greeted the "dragons" and "azures" in Zenica, the surrounding skyscrapers were "burning", and excitement quickly began.
The "dragons" realized after 15 minutes in Zenica that at this level, even the slightest mistakes are not forgiven. The home team's goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj "shot" the ball poorly, Nicolo Barella reacted quickly, found Mojze Ken, and the Fiorentina striker scored a masterful goal.
Sergej Barbarez's team played well after that, and new hope in Zenica woke up in the 41st minute when Amar Memić rushed towards the "azure" goal, he was elusive even for Alessandro Bastoni who brought him down as the last defender - Klemon Turpan had no dilemma and showed him a red card.
From that moment on, the game was practically only played in Italy's half, Kerim Alajbegović brought new energy, but BiH was too offensive and vulnerable, so after an hour of play Ken had the chance of the game. He was face to face with Vasilje and shot over the goal.
And then Zenica "exploded" in the 79th minute when Haris Tabaković crowned the home team's pressure and practically pushed the ball into Gianluigi Donnarumma's goal.
The "dragons" had chances through Benjamin Tahirović and Ermedin Demirović, but the drama went into overtime.
In the extra 30 minutes, Francesco Pio Esposito and Tahirović had serious chances.
In the penalty shootout, the hosts shot as if they had several World Cup appearances under their belt - Tahirović, Tabaković, Alajbegović and Esmir Bajraktarević knocked the ball into Donnarumma's net and the hearts of the Italians.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is celebrating, and it deserves it. And because of these great guys, the region should be happy too.
Kosovo dreamed of a miracle, and had a great chance in the first half of the match against Turkey when Fisnik Aslani's shot was stopped by goalkeeper Ugurdžan Çakir and the crossbar.
The moment Vincenzo Montella's team had been waiting for came in the 53rd minute when Kerem Akturkoglu brilliantly followed up his teammates' action and silenced the packed "Fadilj Vokri" stadium.
Turkey is at the World Championship - for the first time since the unforgettable 2002 when Hakan Sukur, Ruštu Redžber, Umit Davala, Hasan Saš and others won the seasonal third place.
Sweden is at the World Cup despite finishing as one of the worst teams in all groups, with just two points. However, Graham Potter's team had previously qualified for the play-offs through the Nations League, and then showed once again how important this competition is.
First, they eliminated Ukraine, and then took revenge on Poland for their defeat in the play-off for the previous World Cup.
And in what a match - the Swedes were leading 1:0 and 2:1, the Poles were coming back, but Viktor Đekereš became the hero of this Scandinavian country in the 88th minute.
The Arsenal "Gunners" kept their cool after the madness in the penalty area. Sweden is returning to the big stage after skipping Qatar.
The Czech Republic and Denmark also played a spectacular duel. Here too, the hosts took the lead twice through Pavel Šulc and Ladislav Krejči, but the Scandinavians always came back - with goals from Joakim Andersen and Kasper Heg, the Bode/Glimt striker.
And then, from the penalty spot, the Danes missed three penalties, and Michal Sadilek took the Czech Republic to their first World Cup since 2006.
Who are the rivals in the World Cup for the play-off winners?
Bosnia and Herzegovina will play in an interesting group at the World Cup with one of the hosts, Canada, followed by Switzerland and Qatar.
The Czechs go to the second host Mexico, South Africa and South Korea, and Turkey to the third organizer USA, Paraguay and Australia.
The Swedes face the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
THE RESULTS
BiH - Italy 1:1 (pen. 4:1)
Tabakovic 80 - Ken 15.
Kosovo - Turska 0:1
Akturgoklu 53.
Češka - Danish 2:2 (pen. 3:1)
Šulc 3, Krejči 100 - Andersen 72, Heg 111.
Sweden - Poland 3:2
Elanga 19, Lagerbilke 44, Đekereš 88 - Zalevski 33, Šviderski 55
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