With a little luck, Canada won its first point ever at a World Cup by drawing 1-1 with Bosnia Herzegovina before 43,000 fans at Toronto Stadium on Friday.
Inserted after 76 minutes, Cyle Larin’s shot deflected off a Bosnian defender and into the net to tie the game at the 79-minute mark. Long-suffering fans erupted in the stadium and at watch parties across Canada.
Marsch said he spoke before the game with Larin, who was unhappy about not starting for Canada after successes at Southampton in the English Premier League. But Marsch said Larin, age 31, wrapped his mind around his new role. After the game, Larin told TSN: “I score when Canada needs me.”
It was perhaps the most memorable and important goal in history for Canada, which lost all previous World Cup games in Mexico in 1986 and Qatar in 2022. Alphonso Davies, recovering from a hamstring injury, is the only Canadian to score previously at a World Cup.
After a nervous start, Canada gave up a goal to Jovo Lukic off a corner kick in the 21st minute in the stadium’s south end packed with Bosnia fans.
While the bulkier Bosnians won most of the aerial battles, Canada earned 10 corners in the first half and dominated possession for much of the game. But they couldn’t convert chances. Juventus striker Jonathan David found a ball on his foot near the penalty spot but shanked it back to the keeper. Tani Oluwaseyi, starting instead of Larin, made deft moves but blasted a shot high over the keeper. In the second half, Richie Laryea beat the keeper but a defender flicked it off the crossbar. Larin had a chance to score a winner but his point blank shot was deflected. In all, Canada hit 4 of 12 attempts on target.
Missing three backs to injury (Alphonso Davies, Moise Bombito and Marcelo Flores), Canada coach Jesse Marsch put trust in veteran defenders Alistair Johnston and Derek Cornelius, as well as rookie centerback Luc de Fougerolles, who delivered a solid performance.
Ismael Kone and captain Stephen Eustaquio shone in midfield, while Promise David and Jacob Shaffelburg brought energy off the bench.
Marsch and players also lauded Canadian fans for energizing them with chants of “Canada! Canada! Canada!” in the second half, as Canada gained momentum on a physical Bosnian team.
If Canada beat lower-ranked Qatar or Group B favorite Switzerland, they will likely qualify for a second round match in Vancouver or possibly Los Angeles.
It was the first ever World Cup game in Canada. The Opening Ceremony featured performances by Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Buble, Alanis Morissette and others on a sunny day in Toronto.
Globalite Magazine 
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