Džeko Ends Career as Gyökeres Scores Again in Bosnia's 1-1 Draw

Edin Džeko finished his international career 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 led Bosnia in his last game for the national team, closing a chapter that began in June 2007.

Sweden took the lead in the 61st minute thanks to Viktor Gyökeres, who kept up his scoring streak during the international break.

Gyökeres has now scored in all three of Sweden’s Nations League matches in this international window, also scoring against Romania and Poland. He has netted three goals in those three games.

Bosnia responded in the 80th minute when Kerim Alajbegović equalised, earning a point for the home team.

The result marked an emotional night for Džeko, who leaves international football as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s all-time top player and goalscorer.

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

He played a key role in helping Bosnia and Herzegovina qualify for their first FIFA World Cup in 2014 and also led the team in the 2026 tournament.

Reflecting on his retirement from international play, 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 last game means he ends his Bosnia career with 152 caps and 73 goals, solidifying his status as the country’s most-capped player and record scorer.

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

For Sweden, Gyökeres’ latest goal kept a strong run going for the striker, who has found the net in all three Nations League matches played by his team during this window.