Džeko bows out as Gyökeres scores again in Bosnia 1-1 draw

Edin Džeko’s international career ended with a 1-1 draw as Bosnia and Herzegovina came from behind to hold Sweden in the UEFA Nations League on Friday.

Džeko, 40, started and captained Bosnia in his final appearance for the national team, bringing an end to a career that began in June 2007.

Sweden took the lead in the 61st minute through Viktor Gyökeres, who continued his impressive scoring run during the international break.

Gyökeres has now scored in each of Sweden’s three Nations League matches during the current international window, having also found the net against Romania and Poland. He has scored three goals in those three games.

Bosnia, however, responded in the 80th minute when Kerim Alajbegović equalised to secure a point for the hosts.

The result brought an emotional night for Džeko, who leaves international football as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s all-time leading appearance-maker and goalscorer.

Before Friday’s match, Džeko had 151 international appearances and 73 goals. He made his debut against Türkiye on June 2, 2007, scoring in Bosnia’s 3-2 victory.

He helped Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify for their first FIFA World Cup in 2014 and also captained the country at the 2026 tournament.

Reflecting on his decision to retire from international football, Džeko said: “Nothing in my career can compare with the pride I felt every time I put on that jersey. Nothing. It was my childhood dream, a dream I carried with me on each of the 151 matches when I had the honour of representing my country on the football pitch. I was always just as proud to wear it as I was the first time.

“Almost 20 years have passed since that match against Türkiye. A lot has changed since then, and I have changed too, but my love for this jersey never has. Now I feel the time has come for me to step away. If I have reached the age of 40 with the national team, it is because I gave everything I had.

“Playing for my country has been the most emotional privilege football has ever given me. Qualifying for our first World Cup in 2014 remains one of the happiest moments of my life as a footballer. The emotions I felt that night after the goal against Wales, and then in Zenica against Italy in March, will stay in my heart forever. Seeing my people celebrating in the streets of our cities was another incredible gift that football gave me.

“There will be time to thank everyone who has been by my side and supported me throughout this wonderful journey. For now, I just want you to be there that night against Sweden, so that we can share one more emotion together.

“Because every one of these incredible moments was something we experienced together. And that is exactly how I want to experience my final night in the national team jersey: with all of you by my side, wearing the jersey I have loved since I was a boy and which I will love for the rest of my life.”

Džeko’s final appearance means his Bosnia career ends with 152 caps and 73 goals, cementing his status as the country’s most-capped player and record scorer.

The veteran striker’s farewell came as Bosnia extended their unbeaten start to the Nations League campaign after a goalless draw with Poland and a 4-2 victory over Romania before Friday’s 1-1 draw with Sweden.

For Sweden, Gyökeres’ latest goal continued a productive international break for the striker, who has found the net in all three Nations League matches played by his side during the window.