Former Rev scored winning penalty in World Cup playoff

A neighborhood World Cup connection, and a take a look at the complete subject of 48: Tuesday was a momentous day in world soccer as the ultimate spots on this summer time’s World Cup have been determined.

Amid the plethora of playoff video games, there have been additionally some New England implications.

First, right here’s a primary take a look at the entire subject of 48 groups which have certified for the World Cup:

The trail is about. The street to immortality begins right here. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MKfA6btDay

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 1, 2026

On Tuesday, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Czechia, Türkiye, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iraq punched their tickets to the match. Türkiye will slide into the identical group as america (Group D, which incorporates the U.S., Türkiye, Australia, and Paraguay).

Of explicit notice was the failure of Italy — or, maybe extra precisely, the success of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Italians have now clinched an unprecedented absence from three straight World Cups. Italy’s final males’s World Cup sport was in truth throughout the 2014 match towards Uruguay (the positioning of the notorious second through which Luis Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini).

Bosnia and Herzegovina certified after defeating the Italians in a penalty kick shootout following a 1-1 draw. The ultimate penalty kick was efficiently transformed by none aside from former New England Revolution winger Esmir Bajraktarević:

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BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP! 😱 pic.twitter.com/9KLVVPIUfI

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2026

Bajraktarević, 21, is a Wisconsin native who was recruited to affix New England’s academy, creating over time right into a skillful participant with big potential. He moved on to Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven in 2025.

Although he might have performed for the U.S. nationwide workforce, Bajraktarević all the time felt a deep connection to Bosnia. His dad and mom fled the nation amid the wars that adopted the breakup of Yugoslavia within the Nineteen Nineties.

“It’s part of me and who I’m. It’s in my blood,” he told Seth Macomber of The Blazing Musket in a 2024 interview. “It’s one thing that could be a massive a part of me.”

On Tuesday, Bajraktarević acquired to be the participant who formally put them in a World Cup.

The opposite native implication from Tuesday’s playoff video games was the Iraq vs. Bolivia matchup. The winner would clinch a spot within the World Cup’s Group I (which additionally consists of France, Norway, and Senegal), and a spot within the second of Gillette Stadium’s seven World Cup video games.

Because of Iraq’s 2-1 win, the Center Japanese nation has certified for its first World Cup since 1986, and can play Norway at “Boston Stadium” on June 16.

Trivia: The ultimate sport of the 1994 World Cup to be performed on the previous Foxboro Stadium was an epic quarterfinal conflict between Italy and Spain. Italy emerged victorious by a 2-1 scoreline. Are you able to bear in mind who scored the successful purpose?

(Reply on the backside)

Trace: His nickname in Italian was “Il Divin Codino,” which suggests “The Divine Ponytail.”

Scores and schedules:

The Bruins defeated the Stars 6-3 on Tuesday evening, and can play the Panthers in Florida on Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Pink Sox misplaced to the Astros 9-2 on Tuesday. Boston will face Houston once more at the moment at 2:10 p.m.

The Celtics play the Warmth in Miami tonight at 7:30 p.m.

On Friday, Legacy FC host the San Diego Wave at 7 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.

And on Saturday, the Revolution play CF Montreal at Gillette Stadium at 4:30 p.m.

Extra from Boston.com:

Bruins on the rise: Although Boston has not but clinched a playoff spot, the workforce’s latest run suggests the Bruins might be peaking at the perfect time.

On this present day: In 1998, Pedro Martinez made a stunning debut with the Pink Sox, putting out 11 (and permitting no runs) over seven innings in a 2-0 win over the Athletics. Dennis Eckersley and Tom Gordon mixed to shut it out for Boston.

Day by day spotlight: João Félix added to Portugal’s lead within the 2-0 win over america in a pre-World Cup pleasant on Tuesday, scoring with a well-placed strike off a nook kick.

João Félix had time to choose the nook out completely 🎯 pic.twitter.com/s27zVvbRaB

— B/R Soccer (@brfootball) April 1, 2026

Trivia reply: Roberto Baggio