Canada earn first-ever World Cup point on home soil after Larin’s late equaliser

TORONTO, June 13 — Canada striker Cyle Larin came off the bench to rescue a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, earning the World Cup co-hosts their first-ever point in their third appearance at the finals.

Larin had been on the field for less than three minutes when he swivelled inside the box and fired home the equaliser in the 78th minute, becoming the first Canadian to score a World Cup goal on home soil.

“It was special for me. I was ready to come and help the team,” said Larin.

“I thought the goals would come. I score when Canada needs me, and always have done.”

Bosnia took the lead in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukic steered home a flick-on from a corner for his first international goal.

Canada dominated much of the contest thereafter and should have levelled in the 53rd minute, only for Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac to divert Richie Laryea’s effort onto the crossbar and away from danger.

The packed Toronto Stadium, the smallest of the 16 venues hosting this year’s World Cup, generated a lively atmosphere as supporters clad in red repeatedly chanted “Ca-na-da” throughout the match.

‘Put your foot on the jugular’

Canada continued to press after falling behind but struggled to convert their chances as Bosnia absorbed wave after wave of attacks.

Larin changed the complexion of the match almost immediately after entering in the 76th minute, with his deflected strike sparking wild celebrations among the home crowd.

“The subs came on and made a big difference. The tempo got higher, and we could see that they were fading,” said Canada coach Jesse Marsch.

“So, I told them that we’ve got them now. It’s time to put your foot on the jugular and go for the goal.”

The draw delivered Canada’s first World Cup point after six consecutive defeats across the 1986 and 2022 tournaments.

Jonathan David had earlier wasted a golden opportunity to put Canada ahead when he fired straight at goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.

After Lukic’s opener, however, Canada took control for long stretches of the match.

“We learned that in tournaments like this where you dream to play as a kid you have to fight till the last second,” said Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.

“In the last seconds you could get a goal from Canada. But if you fight till the end, nothing can happen. I think we just have to keep going.”

Canada find another gear after the break

Canada pushed for an equaliser throughout the first half but struggled to create clear openings in Bosnia’s penalty area.

The hosts came close immediately after the restart when Laryea broke through on goal, only for Kolasinac to produce a goal-saving clearance off the line via the crossbar.

Bosnia nearly doubled their advantage moments later when Ermedin Demirovic raced clear, but Maxime Crepeau, making his World Cup debut after missing the 2022 tournament with a broken leg, made a crucial save.

That set the stage for Southampton striker Larin, who struck in the 78th minute with a right-footed finish from the centre of the area.

“I’m just really proud of this group, in terms of, you know, we easily could have folded once we conceded that first one and let our heads drop,” said right-back Alistair Johnston.

“But no, we came out in the second half with another level, and we reached it, we really took a hold of the game.”

After the match, Bosnia’s players saluted their travelling supporters, whose drumbeats and singing echoed around the stadium throughout the afternoon.

Bosnia next face group favourites Switzerland in Los Angeles on June 18, while Canada take on Qatar in Vancouver later the same day. — Reuters