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TORONTO — In many ways, a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina felt like a victory for Canada on a historic day for the host side at the FIFA World Cup on Friday.
An upset loss was a real possibility for the Canadians as they couldn’t convert despite many glorious opportunities. Cyle Larin finally provided relief when he scored the equalizer in the 78th minute to send the capacity crowd at Toronto Stadium into a tizzy.
It was the first Canadian goal scored on home soil in this tournament and the first point for the country in seven all-time World Cup games.
“An amazing feeling, just to score a goal at home,” Larin said. “I haven’t scored in a while, but I knew it was coming. I’ve always (come) up when Canada needed me.”
Jovo Lukic scored his first international goal for Bosnia in the 21st minute. He flicked a header past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau off a corner kick.
Larin, who entered the game as a substitute just two minutes before his goal, fought off two defenders near the top of the penalty area and beat Nikola Vasilj in the low corner.
It helped Canada avoid a defeat that would have been tough to recover from.
“I just said, ‘Look you can come underneath at times, but make sure you’re getting yourself in the box and find ways to get chances and score a goal,'” said Canadian coach Jesse Marsch. “So he did that — right away.”
Canada was winless in both previous appearances at the World Cup, going 0-3 in 1986 and again in 2022.
The team will now head to Vancouver for group-stage games against Qatar on Thursday and Switzerland on June 24.
“For us it’ll be really important that we use this experience to be better and stronger and more prepared for exactly what we want the game to look like,” Marsch said.
An announced crowd of 43,002 — a sea of red jerseys except for two sections of Bosnian supporters — was in strong voice as it tried to lift the home side, which was repeatedly stifled by the taller, physically imposing opposition.
With star left back Alphonso Davies out with a hamstring issue, Stephen Eustaquio wore the captain’s armband for Canada.
Marsch slotted Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi up top in his starting 11. Defender Luc de Fougerolles was on the back line with Moïse Bombito available off the bench.
“I think we had the better chances and we could have won the game,” de Fougerolles said. “But first point ever for Canada, so it’s something to take forward.”
Conditions were idyllic at the new-look stadium with a temperature of 26 C at kickoff under mostly sunny skies. Temporary grandstands were added at two sides of the lakefront venue to bring capacity up to the FIFA minimum.
Actor Will Arnett and singer Michael Bublé helped warm up the crowd before the game and Alanis Morissette sang O Canada.
With the partisan crowd buzzing, Canada earned the first corner kick in the opening minute but couldn’t take advantage.
The Bosnians, ranked 64th, played their usual physical brand of soccer and were effective in cutting off crosses.
The visitors nearly had a break after some sloppy midfield play in the 11th minute. A hard tackle by Alistair Johnson prevented an opportunity but the defender was given a yellow card.
Canada’s first chance came six minutes later when David was left open near the penalty spot but Vasilj made a diving save.
Bosnia took advantage of its first corner kick as Lukic — getting the start ahead of veteran Edin Dzeko — caught Crepeau too close to the post. Bosnian fans in the grandstand above the goal erupted while Lukic was swarmed by elated teammates.
Canada, ranked 30th, controlled possession for most of the half but struggled to hit the target. Oluwaseyi had the best chance but his shot from inside the 18-yard box sailed over the bar.
“We just needed to represent ourselves better and we did that better in the second half,” Marsch said. “We knew our fitness and our youth and our speed had the potential to wear them down as the game went on.”
Both teams pressed after the break with Canada’s Richie Laryea nearly notching the equalizer. After a nifty passing play, he beat Vasilj but the ball deflected off Sead Kolasinac’s outstretched leg and hit the crossbar.
Demirovic was sent in alone moments later but Crepeau made a diving challenge and the ball rolled wide.
Marsch made a triple substitution in the 61st minute, hoping to give his team a spark. Jacob Shaffelburg, Promise David and Ali Ahmed came on for Liam Millar, Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan.
“I felt like we needed to really push the game and find some ways to be sharper,” Marsch said.
The Dragons seemed content to play for the draw late in the game. They gave up a few opportunities late in the second half and injury time, but escaped with a point.
Canada, which is co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Mexico, outshot Bosnia 13-8 (4-3 in shots on target) and had a 9-4 edge in corner kicks.
“I told them after the match that if we play like that second half (for) the whole match, we win,” Marsch said. “We’ve got to find a way to have a bit more confidence and a bit more self-belief.”
Canada defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 and tied Ireland 1-1 in international friendlies last week. Bosnia qualified for the tournament by upsetting Italy last March in a European qualifier.
— With files from Canadian Press sports reporter Joshua Clipperton.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2026.
Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press
