Bosnia and Herzegovina wear Romania down

Pressure paid off for Bosnia and Herzegovina as goals from Vedad Ibišević and Edin Džeko helped them overturn a first-half deficit at home against Romania in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group D.

With Romania resolved to hitting their hosts on the break, Ciprian Marica put the away side ahead with a thunderous volley on 29 minutes, but Bosnia and Herzegovina's commitment to attack was eventually rewarded. Ibišević headed them back on level terms just after the hour mark and Manchester City FC marksman Džeko had the last word, jabbing home from close range with seven minutes to go.

Zvjezdan Misimović tested the nerves of Romania goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon with a 25-metre free-kick that went narrowly wide, and the visitors No1 was called on to keep out Džeko on 22 minutes, before his team went ahead. Marica chested down Răzvan Raţ's ball from the right and smashed it past Kenan Hasagić on the volley. Before the interval, Pantilimon was on duty again, making a fine save from Misimović.

Bosnia and Herzegovina kept pushing after the break and eventually wore their guests down. Ibišević rose high to send Misimović's free-kick past Pantilimon, before Romania were unable to clear an Miralem Pjanić corner knocked on by Emir Spahić on 83 minutes, allowing Džeko to add the crucial final touch. Pantilimon continued to be busy in the closing stages, with Răzvan Lucescu's side still waiting for their first win in Group D. As for the victors, they lie five points behind leaders France in fourth, though boast a game in hand ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Luxembourg.