Džeko double propels Bosnia past Greece

Edin Džeko struck twice as Bosnia and Herzegovina opened up a three-point cushion at the top of Group G courtesy of an impressive victory against second-placed Greece. 

The atmosphere inside Bilino Polje was simmering and it boiled over when Džeko opened the scoring after 29 minutes. Vedad Ibišević swiftly made it two – after Zvjezdan Misimović had missed from the spot – before Džeko added a third. The only blot on an otherwise perfect night for the hosts came when Fanis Gekas scored a consolation in added time. 

Safet Sušić's team attacked with intent from the off and were rewarded for their adventure when Zvijezdan Misimović's delicious cross picked out Džeko, who headed beyond visiting goakeeper Orestis Karnezis. Misimović was then denied from the spot but Ibišević spared his blushes by tapping in from close range seconds later. 

The Dragons refused to relent after the restart and went further ahead, Džeko turning in Misimović's inviting free-kick for his seventh goal in five FIFA World Cup qualifying outings. The home team wasted several chances to extend their lead before Gekas stroked in for Greece, who stand two points above third-placed Slovakia.