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Late substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute and Canada’s co-hosts earned their first point in their third World Cup appearance – and first on home soil – by rallying for a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday.
“It was really special to me,” Larin said. “I was ready to come in and score to help the team help the stadium and the fans get back with us. I think we had a lot of chances and I told them the goals would come. I score when Canada needs me and I always have.”
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 converted Larin Promise David’s pass just 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 in Qatar.
Injury-hit Jovo Lukic headed in a corner in the 21st minute for Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are making their second World Cup appearance after failing to progress from the group stage in 2014.
Starting in place of Edin Dzeko (shoulder) and Haris Tabakovic (undisclosed), Lukic was in an ideal position to equalize with captain Sead Kolasinac curling in a header from Ivan Basic’s corner. The goal was Lukic’s first in international play and came in the 27-year-old striker’s fourth international game.
Despite relinquishing the lead, the tiny Balkan nation of around 3 million people continues to come up big on the international stage – including eliminating four-time champions 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 an open net. The ball deflected off Kolasinac’s foot and hit the crossbar.
Canada played without Alphonso Davies (hamstring), who scored the country’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 matches against Switzerland on June 18 in Los Angeles and Qatar on June 24 in Seattle.
Report from the Associated Press.
