1-1: Emotional farewell for Dzeko as Bosnia draw with Sweden

Edin Dzeko brought almost two decades of international football to a close on Friday. Sweden rescued a 1-1 draw in the third round of the Nations League, but the night belonged to the 40-year-old striker, a legend who exits the Bosnia setup with records unlikely to be matched in his homeland.

• Edin Dzeko played his final match for Bosnia at the age of 40.
• Sweden and Bosnia drew 1-1 in League B of the Nations League.
• VAR disallowed a Dzeko goal that would have capped his career perfectly.
• Viktor Gyökeres put Sweden ahead before Kerim Alajbegović equalized.
• Sweden leads the group with 7 points, with Bosnia close behind on 6.

How Edin Dzeko experienced his final match for Bosnia

The Schalke 04 forward started the game and nearly scripted the dream ending. One of his efforts found the net, but VAR intervened to rule the goal out, denying him a strike that will remain a bittersweet memory. With 152 caps and 73 goals, the attacker hangs up his international boots as the top scorer and most-capped player in Bosnian history.

The tribute Bosnia gave to its greatest legend

The recognition came in the 63rd minute when the coach made the substitution. Dzeko walked off the pitch through a guard of honor formed by his teammates while the Bosnian crowd gave him a standing ovation. Moments earlier, Viktor Gyökeres had put Sweden ahead, but the stadium's attention was fixed on the captain's exit.

Once in the dressing room, the celebration continued: his teammates lifted him in the air as a show of respect and affection. Dzeko led Bosnia to two World Cup qualifications, a milestone that defined an entire generation of fans in the Balkans.

Gyökeres strikes and Alajbegović earns the draw for Bosnia

The game kept its tension until the final whistle. Viktor Gyökeres, the Sporting CP forward, beat the Bosnian goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead and extend his own superb run of form. That goal put Sweden ahead and within sight of three valuable points in the race for top spot.

But the home side responded late on. Kerim Alajbegović appeared in the 80th minute to fire past the Swedish defense and restore parity. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the supporters, who turned the closing stages into a farewell party for Dzeko and a statement of intent from his team.

How Group 4 of League B stands after this result

The draw leaves Sweden at the top of the table with 7 points. Bosnia, on 6, remain close behind the Nordic side and fully in contention for promotion to League A. Poland, who thrashed Romania 6-0 in the other group match, sit third on 4 points. Romania are bottom without a point.

The group now enters a decisive phase in which Sweden and Bosnia will battle for their ambitions in head-to-head clashes. Bosnia, meanwhile, must face that challenge without the figure who has defined the recent history of their national team.

The legacy Dzeko leaves in international football

Edin Dzeko turned Bosnia into a competitive side on the continental stage. His goalscoring instinct and on-field leadership allowed the Balkan nation to enjoy their best years, with World Cup appearances and clashes against the giants of the game.

At club level, the striker has worn the colors of top European sides for over a decade. His career leaves a trail of goals across Germany, England and Italy, and now his final chapter plays out in Bundesliga 2 with Schalke 04, far from the spotlight that lit up his finest seasons.

Frequently asked questions about Dzeko's retirement from Bosnia