Larin Rescues Canada's World Cup Opener

Canada 1–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

It took 78 minutes, a substitute, and every nerve in Toronto — but Canada finally have their first Men's World Cup point.

First Half

It started as a cagey affair. Both teams traded set piece opportunities but quality in the final third was lacking on both sides.

Canada were the better team in the opening exchanges. In the 17th minute, a ball found its way to Canadian star Jonathan David around the penalty spot — David failed to place it around the keeper. An easy save. He really should score with his quality.

Canada were made to pay. In the 21st minute, Bosnia-Herzegovina took the lead from a corner played to the front post. Kolasinac — the ex-Arsenal left back — flicked it on and Jovo Lukić nodded home. Set pieces have become a major talking point in European football, and a good set piece showed its worth again.

After the goal it was mostly Canada. In the 33rd minute, Tajon Buchanan played in Tani Oluwaseyi of Villarreal just to the right of the penalty spot. Oluwaseyi was strong enough to hold off a defender but blazed his shot over.

Second Half

Canada stepped up the intensity after the break. In the 48th minute, Oluwaseyi used quick feet down the line, producing a slick turn, but just couldn't find a Canadian with his cross.

There was a nervy moment in the 50th minute when a ball was played in behind the defence and the Bosnia keeper just got there before Oluwaseyi. Some Canadian fans were calling for a red card — the keeper did get to the ball first, but it was close.

Canada's pressure continued to build. In the 54th minute, a slick, intricate passing move ended with Laryea getting a shot on target. What followed was one of the saves of the tournament — Kolasinac, facing his own goal from inside the six-yard box, somehow got enough height to clear off the crossbar. Extraordinary.

The game briefly opened up. Bosnia-Herzegovina found themselves one-on-one with Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, but Demirović attempted to dribble around him and allowed Crépeau to knock it away. A massive let-off.

In the 61st minute, Jesse Marsch made three changes, pulling star striker Jonathan David — a decision that raised some eyebrows. Canada continued to press, and in the 76th minute, Cyle Larin came on for Oluwaseyi, who had been Canada's best attacker all game.

Two minutes later, Larin justified his coach's decision. The ball was played into him; he turned sharply and placed it into the right corner. The shot took a decent deflection on its way in, but the turn to create the chance was top quality.

The final fifteen minutes were a Canadian onslaught. Bosnia defended valiantly, and in the 96th minute, defender Tarik Muharemović — who had been excellent all game — produced a fantastic last-gasp block to deny Larin the winner.

In the end, Canada had to settle for a draw. They were the better team for the majority of the match, but were wasteful in the final third. It is a promising start for the co-hosts, though they may feel a little unlucky to walk away with only one point.