Portugal reaches World Cup by beating Bosnia 1-0
ZENICA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP)—Portugal qualified for its third straight World Cup on Wednesday, beating Bosnia 1-0 after Raul Meireles’ second-half goal in the second leg.
Meireles’ low shot in the 56th minute from Nani’s pass gave Portugal a 2-0 win on aggregate to advance to next year’s tournament in South Africa.
Portugal beat Bosnia 1-0 on Saturday in the first leg in Lisbon.
“It is difficult to comfort the boys, they are devastated. Kenan Hasagic had a nervous breakdown,” Bosnia coach Miroslav Blazevic said. “But this is a young (team) and has potential to develop.”
Backed by noisy fans, Bosnia made a lively start, pressing the Portuguese from the beginning but an Edin Dzeko header went over the crossbar and Vedad Ibisevic’s kick was too low to be a problem for Eduardo.
Bosnia may have had more of the ball but it was unable to open up the Portuguese back line.
Blazevic tried to boost the home attack in the second half by replacing Medunjanin with Zlatan Muslimovic.
It didn’t help and when Meireles scored the game was effectively over, with the Bosnians needing three goals to salvage qualification.
Frustrated fans threw objects on to the field, hitting assistant referee Paolo Calcagno in the head after Sejad Salihovic was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card.
Portugal substitute Edinho almost scored a second, but his 83rd minute shot was well saved by goalie Kenan Hasagic.
lineups:
Bosnia: Kenan Hasagic, Boris Pandza, Sanel Jahic, Safet Nadarevic, Zlatan Bajramovic (Dzemal Berberovic, 83), Miralem Pjanic, Senijad Ibricic, Haris Medunjanin (Zlatan Muslimovic, 45), Sejad Salihovic, Vedad Ibisevic, Edin Dzeko
Portugal: Eduardo, Bruno Alves, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Duda, Tiago, Liedson (Miguel Veloso, 90), Simao Sabrosa (Deco, 80), Pepe, Deco, Raul Meireles, Nani (Edinho,73)
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