Late equaliser gives Canada first World Cup point against Bosnia

Co-hosts Canada earned their first point in World Cup history after a late Cyle Larin strike rescued a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Jovo Lukic had headed Serbia ahead in the 21st minute to quieten the sold-out Toronto crowd, but Larin’s goal, two minutes after he came on sent the home fans home happy.

Canada had lost every game in their previous World Cup appearances in 1986 and 2022, but they came into the tournament with increased expectations after a successful few years.

Bosnia had the better of the chances in the opening stages and Amar Memic fired over from 12 yards before Lukic headed wide.

Canada’s first chance fell to record goalscorer Jonathan David but his shot was saved by Nikola Vasilj.

Bosnia broke the deadlock from a corner on 21 minutes. Ivan Basic’s delivery was flicked on by ex-Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac and Lukic finished from close range.

In the second half, chances came and went for Bosnia’s Ermedin Demirovic and Canada’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Richie Laryea looked like he would put Canada level when his shot beat Vasilj, but Kolasinac somehow diverted the shot onto the crossbar with a superb piece of defending.

Canada kept pushing for an equaliser and were denied by another goal-line clearance with 20 minutes remaining when Nikola Katic blocked Oluwaseyi’s header.

Jesse Marsch introduced Larin to the fold for the final 12 minutes, and he made an instant impact. The Southampton striker got onto a flick-on from Promise David and fired in off a deflection to rescue a point for the Canadians.

Cover Photo: FIFA World Cup 2014 by Mariya Butd used under license by CC BY 2.0.