PSV coach proud despite elimination: “It really affects me”

Esmir Bajraktarevic is eliminated with Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup after the Bosnians lost to the United States 2-0 on Thursday night Dutch time. Former PSV player Malik Tillman passed judgment on the Balkan country by scoring in the 82nd minute to seal the win, despite the fact that the Americans had to continue from the 64th minute with ten men after a debatable red card for striker Folarin Balogun.

The same Balogun provided the 1-0 just before halftime and therefore had to come on after an unlucky incident with a red card due to a VAR intervention. Despite the fact that Bosnia are eliminated from the world finals tournament, national team coach Sergej Barbarez is proud of his squad.

The team, including among others Bajraktarevic in the squad, secured a place in the next round at their second World Cup appearance. ''We have to admit that we didn't manage it. But I told the boys straight after the match how proud I am of them,'' Barbarez said after the game to the attending media in San Francisco.

Above all, surviving the group stage is, according to the head coach, a world-class achievement. ''I congratulated the boys, because I am really proud of their performance. It really moves me. Right now I am the proudest coach in the world,'' says an emotional Barbarez.

For the match, Bajraktarevic had to settle for a place as a substitute, and in the 51st minute the PSV player was allowed to come on for Armin Gigovic. Despite the Bosnian pressure after the red card, the Americans held firm and thus managed to qualify for the round of sixteen, in which Belgium will be the opponent.