Edin Dzeko gives Bosnians a 1-0 lead over Iran at halftime in World Cup Group F match

Bosnia's Edin Dzeko, center, gets in a shot despite the challenge of Iran's Jalal Hosseini, right, during the group F World Cup soccer match between Bosnia and Iran at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) (The Associated Press)

Bosnia's Edin Dzeko, center, is greeted by his teammates after scoring the opening goal during a group F World Cup soccer match between Bosnia and Iran at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) (The Associated Press)

Edin Dzeko's long-range strike gave Bosnia a 1-0 lead over Iran at halftime in Wednesday's World Cup Group F match.

Dzeko struck in the 23rd minute with a low shot from 20 yards (meters), deflecting in off the post.

A minute later, Masoud Shojaei rattled Bosnia-Herzegovina's crossbar but couldn't find the equalizer.

Bosnia controlled play for most of the half, while a defense-oriented Iran lineup relied on rare counterattacks.

Iran needed a win to have any chance of advancing to the knockout stages. The Bosnians were already out of contention following consecutive losses to Argentina and Nigeria.