National Team: the Titani battle with ten men for over an hour, then Bosnia run riot

Almost a year on from the magical night against Liechtenstein, the San Marino National Team host Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Stadium on Matchday 5 of 2026 World Cup qualifying.

The conditions are much cooler than the 30-plus degrees in Zenica back in June, although the travelling fans – the North Stand is packed – heat up the atmosphere at the Stadium with songs and flags.

Barbarez starts Edin Dzeko from the off – the match-winner in Zenica – while Cevoli goes with a front three of Berardi and Contadini playing off Nanni.

The first real opening arrives just before the quarter-hour, when the ever-dangerous Dzeko tries with his left from inside the box, sending the ball inches wide. But the game changes in the 16th minute: Nanni wins and takes a free-kick from long range, which hits the Bosnian wall. Dzeko recovers and releases an excellent ball for Alajbegović, who races clear, with captain Golinucci chasing and somehow managing to halt him. The referee blows and very quickly produces a red card. From the resulting free-kick, Bosnia look to make it count, but there is a timely block from Cevoli on Dzeko to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.

Midway through the half, however, Bosnia do break through after a sustained spell of pressure: Tahirović lets fly from distance with a venomous effort that wrong-foots Colombo. Despite being a goal and a man down, Cevoli does not change anything and his players remain well organised, with Berardi and Contadini dropping in to help the midfield line. Bosnia probe but lack cutting edge, and the game moves into the final five minutes of the first half. The big chance actually falls to the Titani, as a thunderous strike from Nanni – now wearing the armband after Golinucci’s dismissal – from range forces Vasilj into a superb save. Just before stoppage time Bosnia do find the net, but Barišić is in an offside position when he heads home, and the goal is ruled out. The sides head to the dressing rooms with the Balkan team leading by the narrowest of margins.

The game restarts as does Bosnia’s attacking intent as they look to double their lead. Radeljić tries his luck on 48 minutes with a header from a good position, but Colombo reacts brilliantly to keep it out. On the hour mark Cevoli turns to his bench, sending on Tosi and Gabriel Capicchioni for Contadini and Berardi respectively. Bosnia continue to press to put the contest to bed, but there is another decisive save from Colombo, this time to turn away Alajbegović’s powerful right-footed drive (65’). The Titani – despite being a man down – fight and defend stoutly. But on 70 minutes Edin Dzeko takes centre stage and, within two minutes, bags a true striker’s brace. First he only has to turn in Memić’s cross from the right, then he drills a powerful, precise right-footed shot from the edge of the area past Colombo for 3-0.

Dzeko’s quick-fire double floors the Titani and opens the way for Barbarez’s side, who strike again on 81 minutes. A rare mistake in the build-up between Cevoli and Colombo – the first by the light-blue backline – sees the centre-back under-hit his pass to his goalkeeper, allowing Baždar to pounce, round the keeper and slot in for 4-0.

Bosnia still have plenty in the tank, while the Titani are running on empty. On 85 minutes Alajbegović’s left-footer is ruthless, further stretching the gap in favour of Barbarez’s team. The Balkan side do not let up and on the 90-minute mark they complete the 6-0 scoreline through substitute Mujakić. Referee Jorgji does not add any stoppage time and sends the teams to the dressing rooms. San Marino’s next outing comes in just a few days’ time – on Tuesday 9 September – away in a friendly against Malta.

European Qualifiers 2024-25, Matchday 5 | San Marino – Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-6

SAN MARINO (4-3-3)

Colombo; Fabbri, Cevoli, Valentini (84’ Pasolini), Riccardi; A. Golinucci, L. Capicchioni (73’ Mularoni), Zannoni (73’ Valli Casadei); Contadini (61’ Tosi), Berardi (61’ G. Capicchioni), Nanni

Substitutes: Zavoli, Amici

Head Coach: Roberto Cevoli

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (4-3-3)

Vasilj; Gazibegović, Radeljić, Barišić, Burnić (73’ Mujakić); Tahirović (76’ Kospo), Alajbegović, Bašić; Hajradinović (46’ Bajraktarević), Džeko (73’ Baždar), Demirović (61’ Memić)

Substitutes: Hadžikić, Zlomislić, Muharemović, Dedić, Gigović, Šunjić, Katić

Head Coach: Sergej Barbarez

Referee: Enea Jorgji (ALB)

Assistant referees: Ridiger Çokaj (ALB), Denis Rexha (ALB)

Fourth official: Florian Lata (ALB)

VAR: Kreshnik Barjamaj (ALB)

AVAR: Juxhin Xhaja (ALB)

Scorers: 21’ Tahirović, 70’ and 73’ Džeko, 81’ Baždar, 85’ Alajbegović, 90’ Mujakić

Booked: Contadini, Barišić, Burnić, L. Capicchioni

Sent off: 16’ Golinucci

Attendance: 2740