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40-Year-Old Scores Decisive Goal in World Cup Qualifying Thriller
Bosnia and Herzegovina veteran Edin Džeko's late strike highlights wild UEFA playoff action.
Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:09am
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Thursday's penultimate round of the UEFA Playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup featured a slew of dramatic moments, including a 40-year-old Edin Džeko scoring the decisive goal to lift Bosnia and Herzegovina over Wales in a penalty shootout. Other highlights included a stunning free kick goal by Kosovo's Florent Muslija and a brilliant assist from Türkiye's Arda Güler.
Why it matters
The UEFA Playoffs represent the final chance for European teams to qualify for this summer's expanded 48-team World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. With only four spots remaining, the high-stakes matches have produced some of the most thrilling action of the qualifying campaign so far.
The details
In the Bosnia and Herzegovina-Wales match, veteran striker Edin Džeko scored a late equalizer to force extra time after Wales had taken an early lead. The match went to penalties, where the 40-year-old Džeko stepped up and converted the decisive spot kick to send his country to the final round. Elsewhere, Kosovo's Florent Muslija scored a stunning free kick goal, while Türkiye's Arda Güler set up the match-winning goal with a brilliant assist.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina and Wales played to a 1-1 draw after extra time on Thursday.
- The match went to a penalty shootout, where Bosnia and Herzegovina prevailed 4-2.
- Edin Džeko, at 40 years old, scored the decisive penalty kick for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The players
Edin Džeko
A 40-year-old veteran striker for Bosnia and Herzegovina who scored the decisive penalty kick to send his country to the final round of World Cup qualifying.
Florent Muslija
A Kosovo player who scored a stunning free kick goal in his team's qualifying match.
Arda Güler
A Real Madrid wonderkid who set up the match-winning goal for Türkiye with a brilliant assist.
What’s next
The final round of the UEFA Playoffs will take place on Tuesday, March 26, with four teams vying for the last four spots in the 2026 World Cup.
The takeaway
Thursday's World Cup qualifying action was a thrilling showcase of veteran leadership, rising young talent, and the high drama that makes international soccer so captivating. As the final European berths are decided, the anticipation for this summer's expanded World Cup continues to build.
