Bosnia and Canada draw 1-1 in World Cup opener
Cyle Larin came off the bench to score an equalizer as Canada earned their first-ever World Cup point in a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B.
Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina played out an intense 1-1 draw in their Group B opener at the World Cup on Friday, with Canada claiming their first point in tournament history.
Bosnia took the lead in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukic headed home from a corner, scoring his first international goal in his country's return to the World Cup after 12 years.
Canada responded strongly and nearly equalized in the 53rd minute when Richie Laryea's shot was acrobatically cleared off the line by Sead Kolasinac. The Canadians continued to press but lacked precision in front of goal, with Bosnia defending resolutely.
The breakthrough came in the 78th minute when substitute Cyle Larin, introduced just two minutes earlier, swiveled in the box and fired a deflected shot into the net to send the home crowd into raptures.
Canada had a golden chance early on when Jonathan David's effort from the center of the area was saved by goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. At the other end, Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, making his World Cup debut after missing the 2022 tournament due to a broken leg, made a crucial save to deny Ermedin Demirovic.
The result gives Canada their first-ever World Cup point, but leaves them without the winning start they had hoped for.
