Israel's forward Omer Damari celebrates after scoring against Bosnia-Herzegovina during their Euro 2016 Group B qualifying match at the Samy Ofer Stadium on November 16, 2014 © Getty Images

Wales's 0-0 draw with Belgium earlier invited Israel to replace them in top spot, and they duly obliged as first-half goals from Gil Vermouth and Omer Damari helped the hosts into a healthy lead at the break.

Toni Sunjic then saw red early in the second half to increase the difficulty of a potential comeback, before Eran Zahavi added a third to kill off Safet Susic's side.

Both sides fashioned good opportunities to edge ahead in the early stages, but it was the two goalkeepers that came out on top. First, Israel's Zahavi found himself denied by Stoke City keeper Asmir Begovic on three minutes, while moments later Miralem Pjanic was thwarted by Ofir Marciano.

The two teams managed to cancel themselves out for much of the half, but the hosts moved ahead on 37 minutes through Vermouth.

The midfielder made the most of some loose marking, given plenty of room in which to turn and drive a fine effort into the far corner.

Eli Guttman's side then doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, as Damari struck shortly before the whistle to give Israel a significant advantage ahead of the second half.

If a two-goal deficit was not ominous enough, then Bosnia-Herzegovina's task grew far bigger when Sunjic was dismissed within minutes of the restart.

The visitors did not look like springing any miracles with their numerical disadvantage, with Begovic forced into a string of saves in order to keep the scoreline down.

However, Israel did find that elusive third on 70 minutes, with Zahavi tapping past Begovic from close range as Guttman's men usurped Chris Coleman's Wales at the summit.