Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Wales match report: Welsh qualify for Euro 2016 finals despite first loss

Wales will be in France next summer despite suffering their first defeat in their Euro 2016 qualification campaign against Bosnia in Zenica.

Wales were punished for wasting a host of promising openings when the substitute Milan Djuric headed the home side in front with 20 minutes to go, and Vedad Ibisievic tapped in the clincher in the final minute.

But Israel’s defeat by Cyprus in Jerusalem meant Chris Coleman’s men cannot be caught in the race for a top two spot as the 57-year wait to secure qualification for a major finals came to an end.

It caps a remarkable turnaround for Coleman, who had admitted before the game that on Wales’ previous visit to the Balkans – a 6-1 defeat by Serbia back in 2012 – had left him considering quitting his post.

Instead he and the likes of Gareth Bale will tread where Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes and Ian Rush were unable to go before.

The weight of history was heavy on the shoulders of Coleman’s men. Ending the seemingly interminable wait was unlikely to come easy against a Bosnian side knowing they needed a win to retain realistic hopes of a play-off place, even though Edin Dzeko, the former Manchester City striker, was not fit enough to start after losing his fitness battle.

One of the central features of this Welsh campaign has been the ability to soak up pressure, retain discipline and strike clinically on the break.

It was a quality very much in evidence during the early stages as two sharp counters almost caught their hosts napping.

Bale, looking in fine fettle on his first start since returning from a calf injury, motored down the left and narrowly failed to pick out the free Hal Robson-Kanu after attracting two defenders into his web.

Robson-Kanu’s work-rate opened up the next chance, the Reading man harrying Ervin Zukanovic and finding Aaron Ramsey, but Neil Taylor could not meet his cross with a meaningful finish at full stretch.

However, an unfortunate slip from Ben Davies nearly gifted Bosnia the lead. The Tottenham man lost his footing on a soaking surface which had been drenched by persistent rain and Miralem Pjanic pounced to find Edin Visca in the Welsh area, but the winger dragged his shot wide.

Wales, who had conceded only two goals during this campaign grew in confidence, with Ramsey nearly embarrassing Asmir Begovic when the Chelsea keeper expected him to cross rather than shoot from a free-kick on the left-hand side.

Composd build-up play by Joe Allen and Joe Ledley freed Bale to torment the Bosnians, the Real Madrid man fired in a fierce cross that Robson-Kanu just failed tomeet.

The best chance of the first half arrived just before it ended. Robson-Kanu held off his marker and found Ramsey. The Arsenal player beat his man to go one on one with Begovic but hesitated and Taylor just failed to turn home the loose ball.

Bosnia attempted to quicken the tempo after the break but were frustrated time and again, with Ashley Williams. the Welsh captain, making several telling interventions.

At the other end Wales continued to cut out presentable chances. Taylor and Ledley combined to free Bale, but for once in this campaign the Real Madrid man was off the mark, flashing a shot high over the bar.

Their inability to make the most of their opportunities proved costly as they fell behind after 71 minutes. Vedad Ibisevic flicked the ball on and Djuric rose to loop the ball over Hennessey as Wales conceded for the first time in 574 minutes.

The Dragons sought a rapid response, fearing their hopes of qualifying on the night were gone. Bale twice fired off target from distance and, as Wales pushed forward, they were picked off on the break.

Djuric, who made a big impact with his lively movement, found space at the far post and pushed the ball back across the face of goal, where Ibisevic was on hand to tap in.

The Welsh players looked desolate, but by the time Bosnia had netted their second Cyprus had found a winner against Israel in Jerusalem. It made for a strange sight as the Welsh players and fans celebrated a defeat, but it will not matter one jot as a proud football nation booked its return to the biggest stage.

Bosnia-Herz: (4-3-3) Begovic; Mujdza; Sunjic, Spahic (Cocalic, h-t), Zubas; Pjanic, Hadzic (Bicakcic, 89), Salihovic; Visca (Djuric, 60), Ibisevic, Lulic.

Wales: (3-4-2-1) Hennessey; Gunter, A Williams, Davies; Richards, Allen (Edwards, 85), Ledley (Vokes, 75), Taylor; Ramsey, Bale; Robson-Kanu (Church, 84).

Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)