Match Centre

Bosnia & Herzegovina's 4–2 victory was deserved on the balance of shot efficiency rather than territorial control. Romania dominated possession at 56% and attempted 13 shots to Bosnia's 15, but the visitors' conversion rate proved decisive. Bosnia registered 7 shots on goal versus Romania's 4, a gap that directly translated to the four-goal haul. The match turned on clinical execution: Bosnia scored from five of their 15 attempts (33%), while Romania converted only twice from 13 (15%).

Romania established early dominance, with Birligea pulling them level at 2–1 by the 28th minute after Gigovic (12') and Muharemovic (19') had given Bosnia a two-goal lead. The tactical vulnerability emerged after half-time. Romania made five substitutions between minutes 45 and 81, disrupting shape and momentum; meanwhile, Bosnia's structured 4–2–3–1 remained coherent despite rotations. Cicâldău equalised at 2–2 in the 62nd minute, but Mahmic's 55th-minute goal—sandwiched between Romania's attacking pressure—proved the decisive moment. Bosnia's second-half control manifested in 9 shots inside the box compared to Romania's 5, and their ability to score from limited opportunities (Tabakovic at 40', Mahmic at 55') exposed defensive lapses during transitions.

The single stat that explains the outcome: Bosnia's 7 shots on goal versus Romania's 4. Possession alone does not win matches; Bosnia's ruthless finishing did.