Canada claimed their first ever World Cup point as the co-hosts came from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
For long periods, Canada thought it wasn’t their day. After Bosnia led through Jovo Lukic’s close-range header from a corner, some wasteful finishing and equally stunning Bosnia-Herzegovina defending frustrated the co-hosts.
Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi missed golden first-half chances to score. In the second half, former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac and Nikola Katic both cleared off the line as the pressure from Jesse Marsch’s side grew.
But Southampton striker Cyle Larin’s finish from inside the box – his first touch after coming onto the pitch 121 seconds earlier – sent Toronto into delirium and rescued a point for the co-hosts.
“It was the first time Canada had avoided defeat in the World Cup finals, after they had been beaten in all three games in 1986 and then again in 2022.
Bosnia, who gained penalty shootout wins in the qualifying play-offs over Wales and then Italy to secure their place in North America, took a 21st-minute lead in Toronto.
Jovo Lukic grabbed his first goal for his country when he headed in after ex-Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac had flicked on Ivan Basic’s corner.
Canada nearly equalised early in the second half as Richie Laryea’s shot was going in, only for Kolasinac to produce an excellent clearance by diverting the ball on to the crossbar and away.
The hosts pushed for a leveller and had another good opportunity, only for Nikola Katic to clear off the line from Tani Oluwaseyi’s goal-bound header.
But, in a thrilling end-to-end match, Canada got a deserved equaliser in the 78th minute for their first ever World Cup draw.