Bosnia 0-1 Portugal: Portugal Qualify For World Cup With Comfortable Win

The Bosnians couldn't do enough.

Nov 18, 2009 5:04:10 PM

More On :  Bosnia, Portugal
Raul Meireles - Porto (PA)

Portugal eased through to the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Bosnia for a 2-0 aggregate victory.
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A goal from Raul Meireles midway through the second period was enough against a host side who were rather flat, despite being in with a chance of their first ever qualification.

The Portuguese came with a mission, knowing that one away goal would compel the Bosnians to score three, and started with intent.

However, a lack of fluency meant that their first real chance to test Kenan Hasagic didn't arrive until the 20th minute, when Thagio backheeled for Meireles to shoot low, only to be saved.

The game then began to break down in midfield with plenty of niggling fouls, and football itself was at a premium.

The Bosnian attack, so flowing during regular qualification, only occasionally showed glimpses of its capabilities, Miralem Pjanic looking active towards the break.

After the interval Zlatan Muslimovic was introduced for the hosts, but Portugal were more dangerous starting out.

They took the lead ten minutes after the restart, with Nani crossing for Meireles to tap home an easy finish.

The Bosnians were fully unable to create any further chances until the 74th minute, when Bajramovic forced a save from Eduardo with an audacious free-kick.

But hopes of a home revival were then dampened as Sejad Salihovic picked up a second booking for dissent, while the linesman seemed to be hit by a missle from the crowd.

Edin Dzeko, missing for most of the evening, then created and spurned a great chance ten minutes from time, but the night belonged to Portugal.

It caps a fine comeback for the Iberian side, who were at one point in danger of finishing fourth in their group, but now become team 30 of 32 to head to South Africa.

Albert Dumont, Goal.com

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