Canada draws 1-1 with Bosnia in tense World Cup opener, earning first-ever point

Historic first point

Canada had lost all six of their previous World Cup matches across the 1986 and 2022 tournaments. The 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in front of 43,002 fans at BMO Field in Toronto ended that streak and delivered the co-hosts' very first point at the finals.

Electric atmosphere

The city buzzed hours before kick-off, with fans from both nations singing and drumming through downtown Toronto. The official opening party initially struggled to fill seats, but by the time five-time Grammy winner Michael Bublé took the stage shortly before kick-off the stadium was near capacity. Rock icon Alanis Morissette then stirred the home crowd with a rousing rendition of the Canadian national anthem. Hollywood star and Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds was among the crowd, celebrating the point with fellow Canadian fans.

Match action

Bosnia-Herzegovina nearly silenced the hosts in the third minute when Amar Memic fired over from close range. Canada responded with a Jonathan David effort that goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj saved comfortably. The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute: Sead Kolasinac flicked on a corner at the near post and striker Jovo Lukic nodded the ball home from point-blank range. The visitors, coached by Sergej Barbarez, sat deep and defended their lead smartly, frustrating the Canadian attack. Just after the break, Kolasinac again proved crucial, clearing a seemingly certain equaliser off his own goal line in the 53rd minute.

Canada pressed harder and finally found a way through in the closing stages. Substitute Cyle Larin, introduced as a joker, collected a quick passing move and unleashed a shot from about 14 metres that took a decisive deflection off defender Nikola Katić. The ball looped into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the home fans. Reports differ slightly on the exact minute – some outlets place the goal in the 78th minute, others in the 80th – but the result was the same: 1-1.

Missing superstars

Both sides were without their talismanic captains. Canada's Alphonso Davies, nursing an injury, remained on the bench throughout, while Bosnia-Herzegovina's 40-year-old Edin Džeko also started as a substitute. In their absence, players with Swiss Super League experience filled the starting line-ups: Liam Miller (FC Basel) for Canada, and Nikola Katić (FC Zurich) alongside Ermedin Demirović (FC St. Gallen) for Bosnia. Another current Super League midfielder, Armin Gigović (YB), came on as a substitute.

Group B outlook

The draw leaves both teams with a point from the opening match. Switzerland and Qatar, the other Group B participants, face each other on Saturday. Canada next host Qatar on Thursday at midnight (local time, three hours after Bosnia's clash with Switzerland at 21:00). Each side retains a chance of reaching the knockout stage for the first time.