The night belonged to Edin Džeko, but it was Kerim Alajbegović who ensured the farewell did not end in defeat. Bosnia and Herzegovina recovered from Viktor Gyökeres's record-setting strike to draw 1:1 with Sweden in Zenica, preserving their unbeaten Nations League campaign and further underlining the emotional significance of their captain's final international appearance.
Sweden had 56 percent possession and produced eight shots to Bosnia's four, yet the visitors managed only four on target. That inefficiency mattered because the home side turned one of their two on-target efforts into the equaliser that kept them second in the group.
Gyökeres strikes after VAR denies earlier opener
Sweden thought they had the lead inside 18 minutes when Gyökeres converted, but a review showed the ball had struck his hand before the finish and the goal was cancelled. The striker did not have to wait long for another chance. In the 61st minute, Alexander Bernhardsson regained possession and played Gyökeres into the box, where the forward rifled a right-footed finish into the roof of the net.
The goal was historic. Gyökeres became the first player in history to score in six consecutive UEFA Nations League matches, confirming his status as the competition's most reliable goalscorer. Sweden's lead, however, lasted less than twenty minutes.
Alajbegović answers to keep Bosnia unbeaten
Bosnia and Herzegovina equalised in the 80th minute when Alajbegović delivered an in-swinging ball from outside the box following a set piece. The delivery evaded everyone in the area and settled into the far corner, dragging the home side level without requiring a touch from a teammate.
The hosts had seen a first-half strike by Džeko chalked off following a review because the ball went out of play during the build-up. That decision, along with Gyökeres's disallowed effort at the other end, defined the night as much as the two goals that stood.
Džeko exits to standing ovation in Zenica
The fixture marked the final international match of Džeko's 19-year Bosnia career. Supporters at Bilino Polje paid tribute to his iconic number 11 shirt before the match, and when he was substituted shortly after Sweden took the lead, the striker left the pitch to an emotional standing ovation. His departure did not derail the team; instead, Alajbegović's equaliser gave the farewell a fitting conclusion.
The draw extended Sweden's 10-game unbeaten run in the Nations League and kept them top of the standings on seven points. Bosnia and Herzegovina remained second with five points, a single point ahead of Poland. Sweden lost defender Carl Starfelt to a first-half injury in a match where a wave of illness had already disrupted their squad following the previous game against Poland.
The result means Sweden still hold their fate in the group in their own hands, but without the clean sheet their dominance suggested they deserved. For Bosnia, the point matters more than the performance. They stayed within touching distance of top spot and sent their greatest goalscorer into international retirement with at least a point.
Match Information
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Date & Time: Friday 2 October 2026, 20:45 CET
Venue: Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica
Referee: Oleksiy Derevinskiy
