Džeko Bids Emotional Farewell as De Bruyne Inspires Belgium and Hungary Break Through

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s 1-1 draw with Sweden provided the stage for an emotional international farewell for Edin Džeko, on a night when Kevin De Bruyne drove Belgium up to second place in their Nations League group and Hungary registered a first win of the campaign.

Džeko’s 152nd Cap Becomes a Night of Tribute

In Zenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina shared a 1-1 draw with Sweden, but the competition narrative was overshadowed by the farewell of their long-serving captain.

Edin Džeko, the former Manchester City forward, made his 152nd international appearance and retired from international football after the match. The 40-year-old found the net late in the first half, only for the goal to be ruled out when the ball was judged to have gone out of play in the build-up.

The evening was carefully choreographed to recognise his impact on the national side. Fireworks were set off after 11 minutes to celebrate his iconic number 11 shirt, and the crowd in Zenica rose for a standing ovation when he was substituted after 62 minutes.

The tributes continued long after the final whistle. An official ceremony and a guard of honour were followed by a drone show spelling out messages of thanks to Džeko. During a lap of honour, he was showered with soft toys from the stands, underlining the depth of connection between the striker and supporters who have seen him lead the team across multiple qualifying cycles.

On the pitch, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres gave Sweden the lead, before Kerim Alajbegović equalised for Bosnia-Herzegovina to ensure Džeko’s final appearance ended level. The result keeps both teams in the mix within their UEFA Nations League group, but Bosnia-Herzegovina must now adapt to life without their most recognisable attacking figure.

Key Match Facts – Bosnia-Herzegovina v Sweden

• Score: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Sweden
• For Bosnia-Herzegovina: Kerim Alajbegović (equaliser)
• For Sweden: Viktor Gyökeres (opened the scoring)
• Edin Džeko: 40 years old, 152nd and final international appearance; one disallowed first-half goal
• Location: Zenica

Džeko’s retirement comes within the framework of international football overseen by UEFA, whose regulations structure both the Nations League and the qualifying processes that have defined much of his international career. For Bosnia-Herzegovina, the institutional reality is clear: they lose a focal point who has led them through successive campaigns under that framework, forcing the federation and coaching staff to accelerate succession planning in attack.

De Bruyne Double Lifts Belgium in Group A1

Elsewhere in the same set of Nations League fixtures, Belgium took a significant step in their group campaign with a 3-0 victory over Turkey to move up to second in Group A1.

Kevin De Bruyne was decisive, scoring twice as Belgium took control of the match. The 35-year-old Napoli midfielder struck in each half, giving his side a secure platform before Romelu Lukaku added a third to complete the scoring.

By climbing to second in Group A1, Belgium have strengthened their position in a competition designed by UEFA to provide top-level competitive fixtures in place of friendlies, with promotion, relegation and Finals participation at stake. The win reinforces Belgium’s standing within League A and keeps them closely aligned with the expectations placed on a side still built around experienced, high-profile performers.

Key Match Facts – Belgium v Turkey

• Score: Belgium 3-0 Turkey
• Belgium scorers: Kevin De Bruyne (two goals), Romelu Lukaku (one goal)
• Group context: Belgium move up to second in Group A1
• Kevin De Bruyne: 35-year-old Napoli midfielder, one goal in each half

For De Bruyne, the performance reinforces his prominence at international level and supports his continued central role in Belgium’s tactical structure. For Turkey, defeat underlines how fine the margins can be in the Nations League, where group placing can shape future seeding and the calibre of opponents in subsequent cycles.

Kerkez Strike Gives Hungary First Win of the Campaign

In Budapest, Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez provided a crucial breakthrough as Hungary beat Georgia 1-0, securing their first Nations League win of the campaign.

Kerkez scored the only goal of the game, giving Hungary a result that shifts the dynamic of their group. After the win, Hungary sit third in Group B2, three points behind leaders Northern Ireland.

While the Nations League does not replace traditional qualifying formats, its league and promotion-relegation system can influence long-term competitive positioning. For Hungary, breaking their winless run offers not only points but also institutional stability: it eases pressure on the setup and keeps them within reach of the group’s frontrunners.

Key Match Facts – Hungary v Georgia

• Score: Hungary 1-0 Georgia
• Hungary scorer: Milos Kerkez
• Venue: Budapest
• Group standing: Hungary third in Group B2, three points behind leaders Northern Ireland

As with all fixtures in the Nations League, these results feed into UEFA’s broader competitive architecture, impacting future seedings, the composition of leagues, and-indirectly-the pathways national associations navigate across coming years. On a night framed by individual milestones and farewells, the institutional stakes of group positioning remained firmly in view for every federation involved.