Wales lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-2 on penalties in the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday. Edin Dzeko equalized for Bosnia in the 86th minute with a header from a corner. Dan James scored the opening goal for Wales in the 51st minute. According to reports, Brennan Johnson missed his penalty and Neco Williams had his saved by Nikola Vasilj.
Craig Bellamy said his 'heart hurts' after the defeat, reflecting the emotional toll on the Wales manager. Bellamy, who signed a four-year contract when appointed in July 2024, has committed to Wales until Euro 2028, according to BBC Sport citing sources. He has been described as a football 'genius' by BBC Sport Wales, and Neco Williams said Bellamy is 'obsessed with football' and 'obsessed with Wales'. Bellamy watches an extraordinary amount of football, according to multiple reports, and his dedication to the national team remains strong despite the setback.
My heart hurts
Wales will host Northern Ireland in a friendly on Tuesday after both teams lost their play-off semi-finals. However, Wales face injury concerns: Ben Davies has a broken ankle, Kieffer Moore is out with a tendon injury, and Chris Mepham is a doubt, according to research. Moore missed the play-offs due to a hamstring injury, as reported by multiple sources. Bellamy also called on Ryan Reynolds to continue nurturing homegrown talent at Wrexham, noting that three Wrexham players—Danny Ward, Kieffer Moore, and Nathan Broadhead—were selected in the Wales squad for September 2025.
Bosnia will face Italy in the play-off final on Tuesday, after Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-1 to reach the final. However, there is a contradiction in reports: while most sources state the final is yet to be played, Fotbollskanalen reports that Bosnia has already qualified for their second World Cup by defeating Italy on penalties after a 1-1 draw. This discrepancy may be due to a timing issue or an error, and the actual result remains unclear. Additionally, according to a Bosnian fan account, Bosnian fans accused Italy of disrespect after celebrating Wales' penalty shootout defeat, but no other source corroborates this claim.
He's obsessed with football, obsessed with Wales.
Wales previously qualified for the 2022 World Cup through play-off wins over Austria and Ukraine, as reported by multiple sources. The Republic of Ireland also lost to the Czech Republic on penalties in their play-off semi-final. In a remarkable coincidence, both Wales and Ireland conceded equalisers in the 86th minute within 36 seconds of each other, according to two sources. Bellamy's appointment in July 2024 was widely reported, and his commitment to the project is evident.
Bosnia's victory celebrations were extensive: according to reports, 100,000 people celebrated with the team in Sarajevo at night. Captain Edin Dzeko posted clips from the victory party late into the night. The Gigović brothers also featured in the squad: Armin Gigović, born in Sweden, came on as a substitute in extra time against Wales. His brother Ervin Gigović, a midfielder for Helsingborg, watched the playoff matches at home in Landskrona. According to Fotbollskanalen, Ervin Gigović described that his father was in Bosnia watching the match against Wales, while he and his mother watched the Italy match at home. Ervin also said he would say 'yes' if called up to the Bosnia national team.
I would say yes if I got the chance.
Bellamy had warned about Edin Dzeko's threat before the match, according to reports. Dzeko, who is 40 years old and plays for Schalke, proved Bellamy's warning prescient by scoring the equaliser. Wales have also approached Ashley Phillips about switching international allegiance from England, according to research, though it is unclear if he will accept.
Several unknowns remain: the actual result of the Bosnia vs Italy play-off final is disputed; whether Italy celebrated Wales' defeat and if it was disrespectful is unconfirmed; Bellamy's long-term future as Wales manager is uncertain despite his commitment; and the extent of Wales' injury concerns for the friendly against Northern Ireland is not fully known.
My father was in Bosnia and watched the match against Wales, while me and my mother watched the Italy match at home.
He's a genius, a football genius.
We have to be aware of Dzeko. He's still a threat.
I would ask Ryan Reynolds to continue nurturing homegrown talent at Wrexham.