Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cyle Larin Earns Historic First World Cup Point

CANADA 1 vs 1 BOSNIA – Toronto Stadium

Cyle Larin’s wonderful volley earned Canada their first-ever World Cup point as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After a 12-year absence from football’s biggest stage, Bosnia showed little fear on their return against the hosts. Their bravery was rewarded with the opening goal, as Jovo Lukic rose highest to head home from a corner.

Canada piled on the pressure throughout the game and created the majority of the chances. The closest they came before equalising saw Richie Laryea denied by a phenomenal goal-line clearance from Sead Kolasinac.

The pressure eventually paid off for the Canadians with ten minutes remaining, when Southampton striker Cyle Larin fired home the equaliser to become just the second Canadian international to score at a World Cup.

THE MATCH ITSELF

Straight from kick-off, hosts Canada were on the front foot. Former Liverpool attacker Liam Millar’s long throw caused problems in the Bosnia box and earned Les Rouges an early corner. However, it was Bosnia who registered the first attempt on goal. A free-kick routine resulted in the ball bobbling around the area, allowing Amar Memic to get a shot away which, unfortunately for Bosnia, flew high and wide. There was plenty of intent from both sides in the opening stages.

Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston picked up the first booking of the evening. A mistake in midfield allowed Bosnia to launch a counterattack, with Memic collecting the ball and accelerating down the left-hand side. Johnston eventually decided to bring him down, and referee Facundo Tello showed no hesitation in producing a yellow card.

The first big chance of the game fell to Juventus striker Jonathan David. Johnston’s cross was cleared poorly by Nikola Katic, and his clearance fell perfectly to David, who smashed the ball directly at Nikola Vasilj. It was a tame effort and an opportunity Canada simply had to take.

Moments after David’s poor miss, the visitors took the lead. Sead Kolasinac’s corner was whipped in with wonderful pace and accuracy and met by a fine header from Jovo Lukic.

It was his first goal for his country, and a hugely important one.

Just after the half-hour mark, another wonderful opportunity fell to the hosts. Tani Oluwaseyi received the ball in the box, used his strength tremendously well to hold off Tarik Muharemovic, and set himself onto his left foot, but his effort was struck with too much power and sailed over the bar.

Canada started to mount pressure on the Bosnians with five corners in as many minutes, but frustration began to build around the stadium as the hosts failed to cause any significant problems from that spell of set pieces. Aside from the goal, the Dragons had posed little attacking threat, and while defensively the half was comfortable for Canada, their finishing remained a concern for Jesse Marsch’s side.

Bosnia began the second half with intent. Within seconds, Ermedin Demirovic found himself in space outside the box and tried his luck from distance, but Maxime Crepeau gathered comfortably.

Minutes later, Oluwaseyi went down inside the Bosnian penalty area after colliding with goalkeeper Vasilj. The Canadians appealed for a penalty but were rightly denied, as the goalkeeper clearly won the ball before making contact with the striker.

The hosts were left with their heads in their hands again after another huge chance went begging. Some lovely one-touch passing sent Richie Laryea clean through on goal. His effort comfortably beat Vasilj but prompted Kolasinac to produce a phenomenal goal-line clearance, smashing the ball against his own crossbar before it bounced clear. The former Arsenal defender showed all of his experience and awareness to deal with the danger. He remains the only player in Bosnia’s starting XI who also featured at their previous World Cup in 2014.

Bosnia had a glorious opportunity to double their lead immediately after Kolasinac’s clearance, but Demirovic failed to convert as Crepeau smothered his effort.

Canada continued to pile pressure on Bosnia as desperation began to creep in during the final half-hour. Substitute Promise David lashed at the ball but failed to make sufficient contact, Stephen Eustaquio’s long-range effort drifted narrowly wide, and Oluwaseyi’s header was cleared off the line by Katic.

Finally, after all the missed opportunities, the hosts found their equaliser.

It came through two substitutes introduced by Marsch. Ismael Kone played the ball into Promise David, who brilliantly flicked it into the path of Cyle Larin. The striker smashed his finish expertly into the far corner. Although the ball took a slight deflection off Katic, it remained a superb finish and a deserved equaliser for Canada.

The hosts pushed hardest for a winner but ultimately had to settle for a draw. It was a famous result nonetheless, as Canada secured the first World Cup point in the nation’s history on their seventh attempt.