Hero of a whole nation! Will this Bundesliga star save his club too?

m. in freezing Zenica when Haris Tabaković places the ball on the spot for the decisive World Cup playoff clash between Bosnia and Italy. Facing him is Gianluigi Donnarumma, one of the best goalkeepers of this generation.

Gladbach’s loan striker takes one last deep breath, then smashes the ball unstoppably under the crossbar. He screams out his relief, flexes his muscles, and ecstatically thumps his broad Bosnian chest. Four penalty takers later, his home country sensationally books its World Cup ticket and sends Italy into despair.

Also because Tabaković had forced extra time with his goal late in regular time. Now, at 31, he is heading to the World Cup. A scenario that would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

Back then, it seemed the train for a big career had already left the station. In the spring of 2020, the striker found himself without a contract after suffering a torn ACL at Hungarian club Diósgyőri. Despite being available on a free transfer, finding a new club was no easy task.