Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Netherlands: Koeman´s side wrap up group stage campaign with away draw

Netherlands ended their Group A3 campaign in the Nations League with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina at Stadion Bilino Polje on Tuesday.

Ronald Koeman’s side, who had already secured their place in the quarter-final heading into the final group fixture, finished with nine points – five fewer than group winners Germany.

Brian Brobbey gave a second-string Oranje the breakthrough in the 24th minute when he headed home a cross from Noa Lang following a short corner kick.

But Ermedin Demirovic scored on the rebound, after Edin Dzeko’s initial effort was stopped by goalkeeper Mark Flekken, to help Bosnia salvage a point in the 67th minute, as the hosts finished bottom of the group with two points.

Earlier, Dzeko’s shot was cleared off the line by Jorrel Hato in the first half and the Bosnia captain also had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up just past the hour mark, before Sergej Barbarez’s side found the leveller.

Draw in Zenica. #NothingLikeOranje #BIHNED pic.twitter.com/LYPyc9nVIJ

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 19, 2024

Data Debrief: Bosnia’s spirited comeback

The home side ended the first period without registering a single shot on target and only creating an expected goals (xG) of 0.54, compared to the Netherlands’ xG of 1.29.

But they were a much-improved side after the break as they restricted the visitors to zero shots on target while recording three of their own to secure a point. They ended the second half with an xG of 0.46, which bettered the Netherlands’ xG of 0.37 despite being lower than their first-half effort.

Prior to this fixture, Bosnia and Herzegovina had lost all four of their 2024-25 Nations League matches in which they were losing at half-time. But they fought back this time to end their League A stay with a draw.