Bosnia-Herzegovina turned in an impressive performance at home to Belgium in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Zenica on Monday, holding the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw. Bosnia created the better chances over the course of the clash, and would have recorded a victory had it not been for an error by goalkeeper Asmir Begović.
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Belgium, Euro 2016 qualifying: Final score 1-1, Bosnia give Red Devils a scare
An impressive Bosnia-Herzegovina were unlucky not to beat Belgium in their Euro 2016 qualifying clash.
Jamie Squire
Despite Bosnia's solid showing, Belgium made an ominously good start to the match, and managed to carve out a couple of good chances inside the opening 10 minutes. Fortunately for Bosnia, Begović was alive to the danger, and managed to stop early efforts from Divock Origi and Eden Hazard.
After they saw off Belgium's early barrage, Bosnia's confidence began to build, and they tested Thibaut Courtois for the first time with a long-range effort from the excellent Muhamed Bešić after 20 minutes. Before the half-hour mark, they had the lead. Some excellent work out wide from Miralem Pjanić left Edin Džeko with a tap-in at the near post, and he duly obliged.
Belgium responded with a handful of chances before the halftime whistle. Jan Vertonghen forced Begović into diving to stop his free-kick, minutes before Romelu Lukaku was denied after being threaded through by an excellent Kevin De Bruyne pass. Largely thanks to the impressive showing of their goalkeeper, Bosnia held their narrow advantage to the break.
Unfortunately, it took less than five minutes of the second half for Begović to go from hero to zero, as he dropped a clanger on a tame shot from Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan and allowed it to squirm into the back of the net.
To their credit, Bosnia responded well to Belgium drawing level, and almost managed to drag themselves back into the lead within 10 minutes. A dangerous low free-kick was fizzed into the penalty area by Pjanić, though the ball flashed agonisingly wide after being flicked goalwards by Džeko.
The Dragons’ chances continued to flow, with only a goalline clearance from Belgium captain Vincent Kompany preventing Pjanić from scoring after he chipped the ball over an onrushing Courtois. Moments later Džeko latched onto a cross from the left and powered a header towards goal, though Courtois was on hand to make an outstanding save.
Bosnia eventually seemed to run out of gas, and the game began to lull as it drew towards its conclusion. The final opportunity fell to Belgium substitute Dries Mertens inside the final five minutes of normal time, though he curled his shot wide of the far post from the edge of the penalty area.
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Begović; Lulić, Šunjić, Hadžić, Mujdža; Sušić (Višća 72’), Medunjanin, Bešić; Pjanić; Džeko, Ibišević.
Goals: Džeko (28’).
Belgium: Courtois; Vertonghen, Lombaerts, Kompany, Alderweireld; Hazard, Defour (Fellaini 78’), Nainggolan; De Bruyne; Lukaku (Mertens 57’), Origi.
Goals: Nainggolan (51’).
See More:
