By JOHN WAWROW
TORONTO — Late substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute and co-host Canada earned its first point in its third World Cup appearance — and first on home soil — by rallying for a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday.
Playing in the shadow of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower, and in front of a sea of red “Ca-na-da!” chanting fans that included hockey star Connor McDavid and actor Ryan Reynolds, Larin converted Promise David’s pass a mere two minutes after entering the game.
The goal was only the second in World Cup play scored by Canada after the team lost all three of its games at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and again four years ago at Qatar.
Injury fill-in Jovo Lukic headed in a corner kick in the 21st minute for Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is making its second World Cup appearance after failing to advance out of group play in 2014.
Starting in place of Edin Dzeko (shoulder) and Haris Tabakovic (undisclosed), Lukic was in an ideal position to cap a set piece with captain Sead Kolasinac flicking along a header off Ivan Basic’s corner kick. The goal was Lukic’s first in international play and came in the 27-year-old attacker’s fourth international appearance.
Despite giving up the lead, the small Balkan nation of about 3 million people keeps coming up big on the international stage — including eliminating four-time champion Italy in the European playoffs.
Before Larin’s goal, Canada’s best scoring chance came in the 54th minute when captain Stephen Eustaquio fed the ball to Richie Laryea in front of a wide-open net. The ball deflected off Kolasinac’s foot and hit the crossbar.
Canada was playing without Alphonso Davies (hamstring), who scored the nation’s first World Cup goal four years ago in Qatar.
Canada now shifts to Vancouver for its final two group games, against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
The Bosnians also head west, with games against Switzerland on June 18 in Los Angeles and Qatar on June 24 in Seattle.
Related Posts:
- Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada for Ghana’s World Cup opener Sports Thomas Partey has been denied entry into Canada (PA Wire) Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s opening World Cup fixture against Panama after he was denied entry into Canada. The former Arsenal midfielder was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault last July and pleaded not…
- Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina News By LEXIE LINDERMAN TORONTO (AP) — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent…
- Why Alphonso Davies isn’t playing in Canada’s World Cup opener Sports Alphonso Davies is Canada’s captain and star player (Photo: Getty Images) 2026 World Cup co-hosts Canada kick-off their tournament tonight against Bosnia and Herzegovina – but captain and star player Alphonso Davies won’t be there. Following a glitzy opening ceremony, which will feature Alanis Morissette and Michael Buble, Canada will…
- 2026 Election Results: La Cañada Flintridge race for second City Council seat remains tight News Quemars Ahmed appeared to be holding on Monday, June 8, in a close race for a second seat on the La Cañada Flintridge City Council. Ahmed, a member of the city’s Sustainability and Resilience Commission, was leading Planning Commissioner Nerses Aposhian by 207 votes, 29.6% of the vote to Aposhian’s…
- 2026 Election Results: In tight race for La Cañada Flintridge City Council, a slight increase for frontrunner News Holding on. Quemars Ahmed appeared to be doing just that this week in a close race for a second seat on the La Cañada Flintridge City Council. Ahmed, a member of the city’s Sustainability and Resilience Commission, was leading Planning Commissioner Nerses Aposhian by 221 votes, 29.7% of the vote,…
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)