Jovo Lukić put Bosnia ahead early, but a dramatic 78th-minute equalizer from Larin sealed Canada’s first-ever senior men’s FIFA World Cup point on home soil.
TORONTO: Co-hosts Canada secured a historic first-ever FIFA World Cup point after fighting back to claim a dramatic 1-1 draw against a resolute Bosnia and Herzegovina in their Group B opener at the Toronto Stadium. A 21st-minute header by Bosnian forward Jovo Lukić put the visitors ahead, but Canadian substitute Cyle Larin turned savior, capitalizing on an assist just two minutes after coming off the bench to send the home crowd into raptures.
The highly anticipated match, which marked the first-ever World Cup finals game played on Canadian soil, began with an electric atmosphere under the shadow of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower. Canada, missing their regular captain Alphonso Davies due to a leg injury, started aggressively. Their first major opportunity came in the 17th minute when Jonathan David forced a crucial low save from Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
However, it was Bosnia and Herzegovina who drew first blood. Capitalizing on their superiority during set-pieces, Sead Kolašinac flicked a well-targeted corner toward the center of the box, allowing Jovo Lukić to accurately head it past Canadian custodian Maxime Crépeau in the 21st minute.
Undeterred by the deficit, Jesse Marsch’s men played with renewed energy in the second half. Tani Oluwaseyi showed glimpses of brilliance, creating space with a Cruyff turn and nearly converting a header that was blocked by Bosnian defender Nikola Katić. Canada’s relentless pressure paid off heavily when Marsch introduced Cyle Larin in the 76th minute. Merely two minutes after entering the pitch, Larin turned sharply to finish a precise pass from Promise David, leveling the scoreline in the 78th minute.
Prior to this match, Canada had never secured a point in a senior men’s FIFA World Cup, having suffered consecutive losses in their previous tournament appearances at Mexico 1986 and Qatar 2022. This historic draw vastly improves Canada’s chances of advancing past the group stage in the 48-team tournament, co-hosted alongside Mexico and the United States. Following this opener, Canada will head west to Vancouver to face Qatar on June 18, while Bosnia and Herzegovina will travel to Los Angeles to play Switzerland.
