Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Austria Player Ratings: Edin Dzeko Rated 8.5/10 as Laimer's Strike Secures Away Win for Austria in 2-1 Thriller

A real back-and-forth contest at the Stadion Bilino Polje that ultimately saw Austria claw their way to a crucial 2-1 victory. We went into this WC Qualification Europe clash expecting a tight affair, and it didn't disappoint. The first half was a cagey battle, lots of fouls and missed half-chances, with both teams sizing each other up. It felt like one moment of magic would decide it.

The game exploded into life right after the break. First, Marcel Sabitzer put Austria ahead, a clinical finish that felt like it might open the floodgates. But Bosnia and Herzegovina had other ideas. Almost instantly, the talismanic Edin Džeko fired back, leveling the score and sending the home crowd wild. From our perspective, that quick response showed immense character from the home side.

However, Austria weathered the storm and found their winner through Konrad Laimer. His strike was the decisive blow in a match that could have gone either way. It was a classic away performance, absorbing pressure and being ruthless when it mattered. Bosnia will be kicking themselves for not converting more of their chances, especially from Džeko who was a constant menace throughout.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Player Ratings vs Austria

Here are Bosnia and Herzegovina Player Ratings vs Austria

Goalkeeper

Nikola Vasilj - 7.0: A solid performance between the sticks despite conceding twice. He made three crucial saves, including a couple from inside the box that kept his team in the game. His distribution was decent, completing 15 long balls. From our perspective, he couldn't have done much about either of the goals. He looked composed and commanded his area well, a reliable presence on a tough night.

Defenders

Nihad Mujakic - 6.0: An up and down evening for the defender. He provided a perfect cross for an early Džeko chance and was 100% on his two crosses. However, he struggled defensively, losing most of his duels and picking up a yellow card for a clumsy foul. His attacking contribution was noted, but he was caught out of position a few times before being substituted late on.

Tarik Muharemović - 7.5: A really impressive defensive display. He was a rock at the back, making a staggering 13 clearances and winning 11 of his 15 duels. He was also a threat from set-pieces, getting a couple of headers on target. We were particularly impressed by his reading of the game, making two interceptions. He looked like a leader and barely put a foot wrong all game.

Amar Dedić - 6.0: A frustrating outing for Dedić, which was cut short by injury before the hour mark. He looked lively early on, drawing two fouls and trying to get forward. Defensively, he was okay but didn't have a massive impact on the game. His early departure was a blow to the team's structure. We hope the injury isn't too serious.

Nikola Katic - 6.5: A combative performance from the defender. He won 8 duels and made two important tackles, showing his physical presence. However, he was a bit too aggressive at times, committing three fouls and earning a yellow card. He contributed to the attack with a couple of shots but ultimately his main job was defending, which he did with mixed success.

Midfielders

Benjamin Tahirović - 6.5: A mixed bag from Tahirović in the middle of the park. He created two chances and showed some nice touches, with an 84% pass accuracy. What stood out to us was his range of passing, with six successful long balls. On the other hand, he lost possession 11 times and won only one of his six duels, which was disappointing.

Armin Gigovic - 6.0: He struggled to impose himself on the game. While he showed flashes of skill with two successful dribbles, he was often bypassed in midfield. He lost possession ten times and his passing was a bit wayward. He had one shot off target but wasn't the creative force his team needed before being substituted.

Ivan Sunjic - 7.0: A workhorse performance in the midfield. He drew three fouls and won six of his nine duels, showing a real appetite for the battle. Sunjic was a disruptive force, breaking up play and trying to drive his team forward. He wasn't always tidy in possession, but his energy and commitment were undeniable. A classic gritty midfielder's display.

Amar Memic - 5.5: A really difficult night for the midfielder. He struggled to get into the game and lost possession a staggering 17 times. He won only a quarter of his duels and seemed a bit off the pace. While he did create one chance, it wasn't enough to make up for a performance where he was largely ineffective.

Forwards

Ermedin Demirovic - 7.0: Provided the crucial assist for Džeko's goal and created another big chance. He worked hard, drawing four fouls and showing his willingness to run at the defence. However, he also lost seven of his eleven duels and his influence waned as the game went on. A key contributor but sometimes frustrating to watch.

Edin Džeko - 8.5: What a performance from the captain, our man of the match. He was an absolute handful for the Austrian defence all night, winning an incredible 9 aerial duels. His goal was a classic poacher's finish, a vital and immediate response. He had five shots in total, though he might rue missing a big chance. From our perspective, he did everything but drag his team to a point. His hold-up play was immense.

Substitutes

Jusuf Gazibegovic - 6.0: Came on for the injured Dedic and had a steady if unspectacular outing. Didn't make any major errors but also didn't provide a significant spark.

Esmir Bajraktarevic - N/A: Didn't have enough time or involvement to warrant a rating.

Ivan Basic - N/A: Came on late and was involved in a few fouls but couldn't change the game.

Kerim-Sam Alajbegovic - N/A: Not enough time to make an impact.

Samed Bazdar - N/A: A very late substitute with no time to influence the result.

Manager

S. Barbarez - 6.5: Set his team up to be competitive, and they certainly were. The immediate response to going a goal down was a huge credit to his man-management. However, his side ultimately couldn't contain Austria's key players and failed to create enough clear-cut chances beyond Džeko's brilliance. The substitutions didn't quite have the desired effect to turn the tide back in their favour.

Austria Player Ratings vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Here are Austria Player Ratings vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Goalkeeper

Alexander Schlager - 6.5: A relatively quiet night for the Austrian keeper. He only had to make one save, which he dealt with comfortably. He couldn't do anything about Džeko's powerful finish. His distribution was a bit shaky, completing only 7% of his long balls, which is an area for improvement. A straightforward evening's work.

Defenders

David Alaba - 6.5: The captain led by example with his calm passing from the back, boasting an 86% accuracy. He was a reliable presence before his game was unfortunately ended by injury. He wasn't tested too severely but organized his backline well against the constant threat of Džeko. His experience was missed in the final stages.

Philipp Lienhart - 7.5: A colossal performance in defence. He was in the right place at the right time over and over again, making an incredible 13 clearances. Lienhart won seven of his eight duels, a near-perfect record. From our perspective, he was the unsung hero for Austria, constantly repelling attacks and keeping his side organized. A fantastic defensive showing.

Phillipp Mwene - 6.5: A solid and disciplined performance at the back. He was strong in the tackle, winning three of his four attempts. He also contributed going forward, getting into the final third on 11 occasions. He picked up a yellow card but was generally composed, although he did lose possession a few too many times for our liking.

Konrad Laimer - 8.0: The match-winner and a dynamo in the Austrian side. He popped up with the decisive goal, a well-taken strike that sealed the three points. But his contribution was so much more than just the goal. We noticed his relentless energy, making three crucial tackles and seven clearances. He was all over the pitch, a blur of motion and intent. A truly complete performance.

Midfielders

Xaver Schlager - 7.0: He was a dominant force in the midfield before his substitution. He won an impressive eight out of eleven duels and recovered the ball eight times. His energy in breaking up play was vital for Austria's control of the middle of the park. A very effective performance that laid the groundwork for his team's success.

Nicolas Seiwald - 6.0: A quiet game for Seiwald. While his passing was tidy, he struggled to make a significant impact. He lost a lot of his aerial battles and only won three of his twelve duels. He worked hard but was often on the periphery of the main action. A functional but forgettable performance.

Romano Schmid - 6.5: A neat and tidy performance from Schmid during his time on the pitch. He had an excellent 91% pass completion rate and won both of his tackles. He helped keep possession ticking over for Austria. What stood out to us was his defensive work rate, but he offered little going forward before being replaced.

Forwards

Marcel Sabitzer - 7.5: Opened the scoring with a well-taken goal and was a constant threat. He registered three shots on target and was always looking to make something happen. He picked up a yellow card and sometimes faded out of the game, but his goal was a moment of pure quality that changed the complexion of the match. A key man for the visitors.

Michael Gregoritsch - 6.0: A frustrating evening for the striker. He won a decent number of aerial duels but struggled to link up play effectively, completing only 50% of his passes. He was caught offside once and had a couple of efforts blocked or off target. He worked hard but lacked the cutting edge his team needed in the final third.

Christoph Baumgartner - 7.0: A tricky and tenacious player who was a nightmare for the Bosnian defence. He drew an incredible six fouls, constantly inviting pressure and creating space for others. He also created two chances for his teammates. He was a bit wasteful in possession at times, but his directness and willingness to take players on were a huge asset.

Substitutes

Marko Arnautovic - 6.5: Came on and added a different dimension to the attack, but was caught offside a couple of times.

Patrick Wimmer - 5.0: A substitute appearance to forget. He was sent off for two yellow cards in a short space of time, putting his team under unnecessary pressure.

Florian Grillitsch - 6.5: Slotted into midfield seamlessly and helped Austria see out the game with calm possession.

Kevin Danso - 6.5: Replaced the injured Alaba and was solid, helping to repel late Bosnian attacks.

Alexander Prass - N/A: Came on too late to make a real impact but did force a save.

Manager

R. Rangnick - 7.5: A classic Rangnick performance from his team. They were organized, energetic, and clinical when it mattered. His decision to keep faith in his system paid off, with his team controlling large parts of the game. The substitutions were mostly effective, though Wimmer's red card was a black mark. Ultimately, he masterminded a crucial away victory against a difficult opponent.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Edin Dzeko