Poland played away without captain Robert Lewandowski, who was suspended after picking up yellow cards.
The match was decided in the 84th minute when French referee Jérémie Pignard awarded Bosnia and Herzegovina a penalty for a foul by defender Jan Bednarek on Jovo Lukić.
Ivan Bašić converted from the spot to give the hosts victory.
Poland coach Jan Urban questioned the decision after the game.
"I don’t know whether it was an individual error [by Jan Bednarek], unless it was the referee's," Urban said.
He added: "I don’t understand that decision. It was a match where whoever scored would win. But not like this."
Poland created its best chances shortly before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Wiktor Nowak unleashed a powerful shot after a counter-attack, but Bosnia goalkeeper Martin Zlomislić made the save.
Two minutes later, Sebastian Szymański had a great opportunity after Karol Świderski, lying on the pitch, managed to make a determined pass. Szymański’s effort from close range was cleared off the line by the hosts'’ defenders.
The result left Poland third in their League B Group 4.
Before Monday’s match, Poland had a strong record against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with four wins and two draws. This time, however, it was the hosts who celebrated victory.
Poland played without captain and star striker Robert Lewandowski, who was suspended after picking up a yellow card in Friday’s 6-0 win over Romania at the National Stadium in Warsaw, where he scored a hat-trick.
Lewandowski has scored 92 goals for Poland since making his international debut in 2008.
Piotr Zieliński, who took over as captain in Lewandowski’s absence, made his 113th appearance for the national team.
Bosnia and Herzegovina were also without veteran striker Edin Džeko, who ended his international career after Friday's 1-1 draw with Sweden.
After four matches in the Nations League, Poland have just four points and sit third in the group.
Sweden lead the table with 10 points, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina with eight.
Both teams remain unbeaten in this season's Nations League campaign.
Romania have yet to earn a point.
In November, Poland will complete the group stage with an away match against Romania and a home game against Sweden.
Poland were relegated from Nations League Division A under former coach Michał Probierz in the autumn of 2024 after finishing last in a group containing Portugal, Croatia and Scotland.
Scotland also went down after losing in the relegation playoffs.
Poland are now seeking a return to the top division. The winner of their Division B group will earn direct promotion, while the runner-up will have a chance to advance through a playoff.
The third-place team will enter a playoff to avoid relegation, while the fourth-place team will drop to Division C.
(pg/gs)
Source: IAR/PAP