Two goals disallowed, a standing ovation and a teenager who stole the show
Some nights in football are about more than the result. In Zenica, a legend said goodbye, a striker made history and a 19 year old announced himself to the world.
Edin Džeko played his last game for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the night had everything: heartbreak, applause, controversy and a late twist. Here is how it all unfolded.
The Build Up
A legend’s last dance
The Bilino Polje stadium was packed, and every fan knew what this night meant. Džeko, 40 years old, was playing his 152nd and final game for his country. He leaves as Bosnia’s all time appearance maker and top scorer, with 73 goals.
Sweden had come to spoil the party, and they were flying. Under coach Graham Potter they had won their first two games, and Viktor Gyökeres had scored in five Nations League games in a row. The Arsenal striker was one goal away from a record.
The atmosphere was emotional long before kick off, and everyone in the stadium knew they were watching the end of an era. Sweden’s players had to find a way to stay calm in the middle of all that noise.
Bosnia had drawn with Poland and beaten Romania, so a win would have lifted them to the top of Group B4. For Džeko, nothing would have been a better goodbye.
First Half
VAR steals the show
Sweden started with more drive. Gyökeres had an early shot, and then in the 17th minute he thought he had scored. But VAR spotted a handball and the goal was ruled out. Gyökeres later said the ball touched his thumb or something.
Bosnia goalkeeper Salko Hamzić then made a fine save to keep out a low Gyökeres shot heading for the bottom left corner. Sweden’s Carl Starfelt and Victor Lindelöf also went close with headers from set pieces, one going wide and one being blocked. Sweden were creating the clearer chances, but Bosnia refused to crumble. The home fans roared every tackle and every clearance, and the whole stadium seemed to push the team forward.
Then it was Bosnia’s turn for heartbreak. Just before half time, the stadium roared as Džeko put the ball in the net, but that goal was overturned too. The crowd groaned, and the half ended 0 to 0 with two goals cancelled.
Second Half
Gyökeres makes history, a teenager hits back
In the 60th minute, the stadium rose as one. Džeko was substituted off to a standing ovation, with players from both teams forming a guard of honour. Many fans had tears in their eyes. It was a beautiful moment.
And then came a cruel twist. Just a minute later, Alexander Bernhardsson won the ball and sent Gyökeres clear, and the striker fired it into the top corner. Sweden led 1 to 0, and Gyökeres became the first player in history to score in six Nations League games in a row, going past Aleksandar Mitrović and Benjamin Šeško.
Sweden had chances to kill the game. Bernhardsson, Gyökeres and Besfort Zeneli all missed good opportunities to make it 2 to 0, and it proved costly.
Bosnia pushed forward after going behind, and the stadium sensed that a farewell goal or a late comeback was possible. Every attack brought the crowd to its feet, and the noise grew louder with every minute.
In the 80th minute, Kerim Alajbegović swung in a cross that no one touched, and it dipped into the far corner. The 19 year old Juventus forward had saved Džeko from a defeat on his farewell night. It finished 1 to 1.
Beyond the Pitch
Tears, records and a changing of the guard
Džeko bowed out with 152 caps and 73 goals, the most in Bosnia’s history. Reporters said the night could mark a change of the guard, with Alajbegović showing the kind of quality that could carry the team for years.
Gyökeres’ record was the headline from the Swedish side. Potter had said before the campaign that Gyökeres was still one of Sweden’s leading players, and the striker is answering every question with goals.
For Sweden coach Potter, the draw was a mixed bag. His team did almost everything but win, and the missed chances will keep him thinking. But with seven points from three games, the group is in good hands.
The numbers show that Sweden were the better team. They had an expected goals figure of 0.64 against 0.24 for Bosnia, and six of their attempts came inside the box compared to two for the hosts.
Where It Leaves Both Teams
Sweden lead, Bosnia stay close
Sweden stay top of Group B4 with seven points, while Bosnia are second on five. Poland have four and Romania have none, so the group is still wide open.
Sweden will be frustrated not to have a perfect record, but they remain in a strong position. Bosnia can look back with pride, because they gave their legend a goodbye he will never forget.
For Bosnia the next chapter begins without Džeko. For Gyökeres and Sweden, the next goal could extend a record that nobody has reached before.
Featured image: Photo: Emin Tarahija, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
