Bosnia and Herzegovina produced a ruthless attacking display to beat Romania 4-2 in the UEFA Nations League, ending an eight-year wait for an away victory in the competition and moving to the top of League B Group 4.
Played behind closed doors due to a UEFA sanction against Romania, the contest lacked supporters in the stands but not goals or drama.
Bosnia Strikes Early to Take Control
Bosnia signaled their attacking intentions almost immediately. Haris Tabakovic escaped Romania’s defensive line after an excellent Ivan Basic pass, only to fire wide with the goal at his mercy.
The visitors didn’t have to wait long.
Esmir Bajraktarevic delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, where Armin Gigovic rose to head Bosnia into the lead.
Romania’s aerial defense problems soon returned. Basic swung in a corner and Tarik Muharemovic was left unmarked, allowing the defender to power home a header for 2-0.
Romania Responds, but Bosnia Hits Back
Romania finally found some attacking rhythm as Daniel Birligea tested goalkeeper Martin Zlomislic before getting his reward.
Lisav Eissat supplied a superb delivery and Birligea headed into the bottom corner, cutting Bosnia’s advantage to 2-1 and briefly giving the hosts hope of completing a comeback.
Bosnia responded before half-time.
Romania goalkeeper Ionut Radu spilled Kerim Alajbegovic’s relatively tame effort, and Tabakovic reacted quickest to convert the rebound for his sixth international goal.
Bosnia headed into the break with a commanding 3-1 advantage.
Mahmic Makes It Four
Any hopes of a Romanian revival suffered another major blow shortly after the restart.
Bajraktarevic was again the creator, delivering another dangerous cross into the middle. Ermin Mahmic timed his run perfectly and headed home to extend Bosnia’s lead to 4-1.
Bajraktarevic’s creativity proved particularly important, with his deliveries repeatedly exposing Romania’s defensive weaknesses.
Cicaldau Gives Romania Late Hope
Substitute Alexandru Cicaldau made an immediate impact for Romania, unleashing a swerving long-range strike that found its way through Zlomislic’s hands to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
Romania enjoyed more possession afterward but struggled to turn it into clear opportunities.
Birligea wasted one promising chance and also saw an effort ruled out following an offside earlier in the move. Bosnia could even have added a fifth, with Ermedin Demirovic firing off target from inside the penalty area.
There was ultimately no way back for the hosts.
Statement of Victory for Bosnia and Herzegovina
The 4-2 victory was particularly significant for Sergej Barbarez’s Bosnia side after entering the contest with only one win from their previous six matches.
More importantly, it delivered Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first UEFA Nations League away victory in eight years and lifted the Dragons to the top of League B Group 4.
Romania, meanwhile, fell to the bottom of the group after a damaging defensive performance in which Bosnia repeatedly punished them with crosses and aerial opportunities.
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Final Score: Romania 2-4 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina was clinical when chances came. Goals from Armin Gigovic, Tarik Muharemovic, Haris Tabakovic and Ermin Mahmic secured an emphatic victory, while Esmir Bajraktarevic played a starring creative role.
For Romania, goals from Birligea and Cicaldau offered brief hope, but defensive mistakes proved too costly.
