Toronto, June 13: In a thrilling opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, co-host Canada made a remarkable comeback to draw 1-1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday night. The match, held at Toronto Stadium, saw substitute striker Cyle Larin score a crucial goal in the dying minutes, saving Canada from defeat and earning the team its first point in World Cup history.
Bosnia and Herzegovina started the match aggressively, applying pressure on Canada’s defense from the outset. In the first half, a corner kick led to Sead Kolasinac advancing the ball, allowing Jovo Lukic to score with a stunning header, giving Bosnia a 1-0 lead.
Trailing 0-1, Canada responded with counter-attacks. Star player Jonathan David created a promising opportunity, but Bosnia’s goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj made a fantastic save to maintain the lead. Tani Oluwaseyi also missed a clear chance when his shot sailed over the crossbar.
In the second half, Canada increased the pace of the game, continuously searching for an equalizer. Oluwaseyi nearly leveled the score with a header, but defender Nikola Katic intervened. Meanwhile, a potential goal from Richie Laryea was cleared off the line by Kolasinac, keeping Bosnia in front.
Bosnia continued to play aggressively, with Canada’s goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau making a crucial save against Ermedin Demirovic’s dangerous attempt. Just when it seemed Bosnia would secure the win, Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch made a timely substitution. Cyle Larin, who entered the field in the 76th minute, scored just two minutes later. Receiving a brilliant pass from Promise David, Larin controlled the ball inside the box and equalized the score at 1-1.
In stoppage time, Larin had a chance to secure a win, but Tarik Muharemovic blocked his shot. Both teams made several attempts to score afterward, but the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Reflecting on his significant contribution, Larin expressed his happiness in helping Canada achieve a positive result on home soil.
He stated, “Whenever Canada needs me, I try to score. We must continue to play with hard work and confidence.” This draw provides Canada with a valuable point as they begin their World Cup journey, gaining momentum ahead of the remaining matches in Group B.
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