Manchester City hero Edin Dzeko joined the euphoric celebrations with the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad after they secured a dramatic World Cup qualification. The team defeated Italy 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Zenica.
Despite sustaining a shoulder injury in the final moments of extra time, Dzeko played the full 120 minutes but was unable to take a penalty. He watched the shootout from the sidelines with his arm in a sling. Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez expressed hope that the injury would not prevent Dzeko from participating in the World Cup.
The 40-year-old striker did not let the injury dampen his spirits, dancing and singing in a bar into the early hours. He shared footage on Instagram of the squad celebrating their historic achievement and posted images from Sarajevo, where the team celebrated on a rooftop bus surrounded by thousands of fans.
Reflecting on the qualification, Dzeko said it felt like destiny. 'I keep saying it must have been fate, for it to happen in the last second of the match, and then for me not to be able to take a penalty. Someone else stepped up instead of me, scored, and in the end we won,' he stated. Regarding his arm injury, he added that it is not the worst case and likely will not require surgery, expecting to return in a month or month and a half.
Bosnia will face Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland in Group B of the World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Dzeko, who spent five years at Manchester City, is remembered for scoring a crucial equaliser in the 2012 title-winning match against QPR.
