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Late substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute and co-host Canada earned its first point in its third World Cup appearance, and first at home, by coming back from a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday.
“It was really special for me,” Larin said. “I was ready to go in and score to help the team, help the stadium and the fans come back to us. I think we had a lot of opportunities and I told them the goals would come. I score when Canada needs me and I always have.”
Playing in the shadow of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower and in front of a sea of ”Ca-na-da!” chanting fans that included hockey star Connor McDavid and actor Ryan Reynolds, Larin converted Promise David’s pass just two minutes into the game.
The goal was just the second World Cup goal scored by Canada after the team lost all three of its games at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and again four years ago in Qatar.
Jovo Lukic, an injury substitute, headed in a corner kick in the 21st minute for Bosnia-Herzegovina, which will be making its second World Cup appearance after failing to advance from the group stage in 2014.
Starting in place of Edin Dzeko (shoulder) and Haris Tabakovic (undisclosed), Lukic was in an ideal position to finish a set piece with captain Sead Kolasinac heading home an Ivan Basic corner. The goal was Lukic’s first in an international match and came in the 27-year-old attacker’s fourth international appearance.
Despite losing the lead, the small Balkan nation of about 3 million people continues to triumph on the international stage, including eliminating four-time champions Italy in the European qualifiers.
Before Larin’s goal, Canada’s best scoring opportunity came in the 54th minute, when captain Stephen Eustaquio passed the ball to Richie Laryea in front of an open net. The ball deflected off Kolasinac’s foot and hit the crossbar.
Canada played without Alphonso Davies (hamstring), who scored the nation’s first World Cup goal four years ago in Qatar.
Canada now moves to Vancouver for its final two group matches, against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
The Bosnians also head west, with games against Switzerland on June 18 in Los Angeles and Qatar on June 24 in Seattle.
Associated Press information.
