Bosnia and Herzegovina saw their World Cup dream quite literally go up in flames on Tuesday evening when, despite beating Estonia in their final qualifier, results elsewhere eliminated them from the running.

Indeed, Edin Dzeko and Co. needed Greece to succumb to an unlikely defeat against minnows Gibraltar, who themselves had yet to win a single point in Group H.

True to form, Greece cantered to a 4-0 in Piraeus that served to condemn Bosnia to their fate.

In response, their fans used a barrage...

Well now, Edin Dzeko. What exactly were you thinking here?

Nel frattempo Dzeko.. pic.twitter.com/1NKVLFGbxw

- CALCIATORI BRUTTI (@CB_Ignoranza) November 13, 2016

The incident occurred in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday, with Dzeko's Bosnia-Herzegovina leading 1-0 at Greece in the second half.

Dzeko fell down over the ball and -- taking objection to Sokratis Papastathopoulos standing over him -- the former Manchester City striker pulled the defender's shorts down to his knees.

Then in a finishing...

With World Cup 2018 qualifying beginning in Europe this week, Sasa Ibrulj takes a look at where the big Balkan nations currently standing heading into their opening games.K

Serbia: Big expectations for Muslin

Serbia had many memorable moments in their last qualifying campaign for Euro 2016, but none of them were positive and they are now hoping that the opening of qualification for World Cup 2018, with a game against Republic of Ireland on Monday, could represent a fresh start.

They have replaced...

DUBLIN -- Three thoughts from Republic of Ireland's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium in European Championship qualifying playoffs, which sent the hosts to Euro 2016 in France next summer.

1. Ireland reach Euro 2016

Ireland reach the heady heights of Euro 2016, and precisely because they brilliantly kept their focus. Bosnia-Herzegovina lost theirs on the way to losing this game 2-0 and the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

Even long before the excellent Jon Walters had plundered his...

Mehmed Bazdarevic may have been right when he said that it was too foggy to watch the most of the first playoff match between his Bosnia-Herzegovina side and the Republic of Ireland, but it was visible enough to see how big of an opportunity Bosnia wasted on Friday night in Zenica. The 1-1 draw at the Bilino Polje Stadium is a result that gives a big advantage to Martin O'Neill and his boys.

A combative yet limited Ireland team lacking individual quality did not offer much more than solid defending...

ZENICA, Bosnia and Herzegovina -- Three thoughts on Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina's 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Euro 2016 playoff on Friday.

1. Bosnia promise much, but produce very little

You would say it was an opportunity wasted for Bosnia and Herzegovina, given their superiority and advantages in this match, except they didn't exactly create all that many chances.

That is the crux of their performance, and the big question is whether they could have done more.

Bosnia and Herzegovina...