Esmir Bajraktarevic, the Appleton, Wisconsin-born winger now starring for PSV Eindhoven, slammed home the decisive penalty as Bosnia and Herzegovina edged Italy in a tense playoff shootout on Tuesday in Zenica. After a 1-1 draw through extra time, Bosnia held its nerve from the spot to clinch a 2026 World Cup berth and leave Italy watching from home. When Bajraktarevic slipped the winner past Gianluigi Donnarumma, Bilino Polje erupted, and the 21-year-old instantly turned into a headline name on both sides of the Atlantic.
Zenica Thriller Ends Italy's World Cup Bid
Italy struck first through Moise Kean, but the night tilted when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the first half. From there, Bosnia cranked up the pressure, and Haris Tabakovic finally equalized in the 79th minute to push the match into extra time. Neither team found a breakthrough in the additional 30 minutes, sending the playoff to penalties. Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante failed to convert for Italy, opening the door for Bajraktarevic to seal a 4-1 shootout win with a cool finish under Donnarumma. The result means the four-time champions will miss another World Cup after yet another playoff flop, as reported by AP.
From Appleton To PSV
Bajraktarevic, 21, grew up in Appleton, working his way through local youth sides before landing in the New England Revolution academy and eventually earning a move to PSV Eindhoven in January 2025. In announcing the deal, PSV highlighted him as a left-footed winger with sharp crossing ability and a flair for one-on-one duels on the flank. MLS records also note his United States youth appearances and his senior U.S. debut in January 2024, a trajectory that set up his starring turn on Tuesday, according to PSV and MLS.
Switch From U.S. To Bosnia Paid Off
After playing for the United States at youth level and making a single senior appearance in January 2024, Bajraktarevic chose later in 2024 to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina instead, a decision he has publicly framed as an easy call and a source of deep pride. Since then he has chipped in several big moments in qualifying, including a strike that supporters voted the best goal of the campaign. On Tuesday, he supplied the one kick Bosnia needed most. For more on his choice and his reaction after the match, see coverage from The New York Times and UEFA.
What It Means And Local Reaction
The loss caps a brutal qualifying stretch for Italy, who will now miss a third straight World Cup, while Bosnia heads back to the tournament for just the second time after its 2014 appearance. In Wisconsin, online comment sections and community boards lit up with a mix of disbelief and pride that an Appleton-born player had just knocked Italy out and carried Bosnia through. Broader breakdowns of the match are available from outlets including ESPN, and local reaction surfaced across community spaces such as Reddit.
