Bosnia-Herzegovina came from behind to claim a deserved draw against Spain in their World Cup Qualifier in Zenica.

An equaliser from Elvir Bolic 15 minutes from time cancelled out Vincente's opener after the home side had outmuscled and outplayed their Spanish opponents for much of the evening.

Managing to stay only narrowly onside, Bolic ran clear of the visitors' defence before unleashing a delightful chip over the advancing Iker Casillas.

The lively Vicente had earlier put Spain ahead against the run of play on 67 minutes but Bosnia's physical approach ultimately paid dividends, with the Spaniards often frustrated by the home side's pace and aggression.

Bosnia-Herzegovina, who have not lost at home in five matches spread over two years, could even have snatched a dramatic victory when Misimovic fluffed an almost identical chance to that which was converted so emphatically by Bolic.

Despite the creditable draw, Spain coach Luis Aragones, who took over from Inaki Saez after Spain's first-round exit at Euro 2004, will be disappointed with his first competitive game in charge.

He had already been critical of the side following his first two friendly matches in charge, a shaky 3-2 win over Venezuela and the abandoned 1-1 draw with Scotland on Friday, saying Spain were "worse than I thought".

In what was the first match of the Group 7 qualifying campaign for both teams, Bosnia-Herzegovina had the better of the opening exchanges, penning the visitors in their own half and missing a number of half-chances in the opening 20 minutes, the best of which was a blocked 25-yard effort from Elvir Baljic.

And although Spain gradually began to get a foothold in the match, it was the Bosnians who finished the half stronger, with Casillas forced into a point-blank save just before the interval.

The second half started in similar fashion, before a breathtaking piece of skill by the under-fire Spain captain Raul saw his curling shot hit the bar.

After Vicente opened the scoring, Bosnia-Herzegovina poured forward in search of an equaliser.

Within a minute, Mirsad Beslija broke away from a tackle, and his cross found the unmarked Hasan Salihamidzic who scuffed his shot from 12 yards, and the ball trickled through to Casillas.

A Bosnian corner was then cleared off the line after it flicked off a Spanish head onto Beslija's, before finally being blocked.

Spain missed a chance to steal a win themselves in injury-time when Morientes held off three Bosnia-Herzegovnian defenders before shooting just wide.

Teams

Bosnia-Herzegovina Hasagic, Beslija, Music, Spahic, Bajic, Grujic (Kerkez 68), Salihamidzic, Misimovic, Bolic (Halilovic 84), Barberez, Baljic (Blatnjak 62).

Subs Not Used: Tolja, Crnogorac, Papac, Damjanovic.

Booked: Grujic, Bajic, Salihamidzic, Grujic.

Goals: Bolic 73.

Spain Casillas, Salgado, Helguera, Puyol, Romero, Pena, Albelda (Alonso 71), Baraja, Reyes, Victor (Morientes 50), Vicente.

Subs Not Used: Canizares, Joaquin, Marchena, Valeron, Torres.

Booked: Albelda, Valeron, Morientes, Romero.

Goals: Vicente 66.

Att: 17,000

Ref: Massimo De Santis (Italy).