CANADA EARN HISTORIC FIRST WORLD CUP POINT IN 1–1 DRAW WITH BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
Co-hosts Canada earned a historic point at the FIFA World Cup after coming from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday in Toronto.
The match marked the first World Cup finals game ever played on Canadian soil.
Bosnia and Herzegovina took the lead in the 21st minute through Jovo Lukic, who scored with a header to put the visitors ahead.
Canada responded after the break, with Cyle Larin finding the equaliser in the second half to ensure the hosts shared the points.
The result handed Canada its first-ever point in World Cup history.
Prior to the draw, Canadian teams had lost all six matches across their previous two World Cup appearances in 1986 and 2022, leaving them without a point in the tournament until Friday’s result.
Lukic’s goal from a corner sent the small but enthusiastic Bosnian contingent at the Toronto Stadium into a frenzy.
Canada had the majority of play in the first half but failed to generate any real chances.
The stadium erupted in the 17th minute when forward Jonathan David had a clear shot on goal, but it was easily handled by Bosnian keeper Nikola Vasilj.
Canada’s Ismael Kone had a golden opportunity in the 30th minute, but sailed his strike well over the net, prompting groans from tens of thousands of Canadians who blanketed the stadium in a sea of red.
The second half began in similar fashion, with Canada largely on the attack, but unable to find the net.
Bosnia’s veteran defender Sead Kolasinac saved a certain goal when he diverted a strike from David onto the crossbar, extending Canada’s agony.
But Larin’s strike in the 78th minute marked a high point in Canada’s limited World Cup history, causing a mostly Canadian crowd of 43,000 to erupt.
Canada threatened to go ahead in the final minutes, narrowly missing a goal near the final whistle.
Canadian entertainment royalty attended the match at the home of the MLS’s Toronto FC, including film star Ryan Reynolds, from Vancouver, and Saturday Night Live and Austin Powers star Mike Myers, a Toronto native.
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