Canada grabs first World Cup point with 1-1 draw against Bosnia after Larin equaliser

Late drama in Toronto

Canada’s men’s team seemed set for another World Cup defeat when Jovo Lukic headed Bosnia in front from a 21st-minute corner. The co-hosts pressed relentlessly after the break, with Richie Laryea’s 53rd-minute shot cleared off the line by Sead Kolasinac and Jonathan David denied by goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. Then Cyle Larin, introduced in the 76th minute, swivelled in the box and fired home a deflected right-footed strike less than three minutes later, sparking bedlam among the 43,002 fans at BMO Field.

“If we play like that second half, the whole match, we win.”

A historic point

Before Friday, Canada had lost all six of its World Cup fixtures across 1986 and 2022. The draw ends that streak and gives the side a foothold in Group B ahead of matches against Qatar in Vancouver on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24. Coach Jesse Marsch was unhappy with the first-half tentativeness but praised his players’ response. Bosnia’s coach Sergej Barbarez admitted his team was too passive after taking the lead but said a point was a fair result given the pressure of a hostile crowd.

“We left the initiative to Canadians, and we were playing in low blocks, and we were defensive.”

Celebrities and a roaring crowd

Among the crowd were movie stars Ryan Reynolds and Mike Myers, NHL standout Connor McDavid, and singer Alanis Morissette, who performed “O Canada” before kick-off. Reynolds clapped and shouted with supporters when Larin scored. Defender Alistair Johnston said it felt like fans were “fully invested,” not just there for a picnic. The match also drew Canada into a broader narrative: co-hosting the tournament with the US and Mexico, amid tariffs and sovereignty talk, has given the World Cup an extra layer of national meaning.

“This just seems like a turning point for Canadian soccer.”

Vancouver awaits

Attention now shifts to the west coast, where Canada faces Qatar and Switzerland at BC Place. Local fans told Reuters they hope the tournament will bring more investment in football infrastructure, citing a shortage of pitches. For now, Larin’s strike has kept the group wide open and given a young Canadian squad belief that a knockout-stage spot is within reach.