Cyle Larin came off the bench to rescue Canada, earning a historic first World Cup point in a 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina in their Group B opener at Toronto Stadium. The co-hosts trailed to Jovo Lukic’s early strike but finally converted one of many chances in the second half.

The result ends Canada’s run of six straight World Cup defeats, though the wait for a first win at this level stretches to seven matches. Jesse Marsch’s team again struggled with efficiency in front of goal, creating pressure and territory but failing to turn dominance into three points.

Canada attempted 13 shots, the highest total Bosnia-Herzegovina have ever faced in one World Cup game, generating 1.25 expected goals. Yet only four efforts hit the target, and Opta classified two as ‘big’ chances. Bosnia-Herzegovina responded with eight attempts, worth 0.98 expected goals, and made Canada pay through one clinical moment.

Although Canada controlled possession from kick-off, Bosnia-Herzegovina created the better early opportunities. Amar Memic first sliced a powerful first-time strike over the bar, warning the hosts. The visitors then silenced the home crowd after 21 minutes when Sead Kolasinac glanced on a near-post corner and Lukic stooped behind to nod in from close range.

That goal marked Lukic’s first international strike and underlined Bosnia-Herzegovina’s threat on set plays, even with Edin Dzeko left on the bench. Canada, despite the setback, kept pushing forward, yet the final ball often lacked precision and allowed Bosnia-Herzegovina’s defence, led by Kolasinac, to regroup between waves of attacks.

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Marsch turned to the bench in search of a spark, replacing Tani Oluwaseyi with Larin in the second half. The change worked almost instantly. Just 121 seconds after entering, Larin rolled his marker smartly in the area and drilled a fierce finish beyond a helpless Nikola Vasilj to level the contest.

Larin nearly delivered a dramatic winner in stoppage time as the ball bounced loose inside the Bosnia-Herzegovina box. The forward’s low effort seemed destined for goal before Tarik Muharemovic launched into a vital block, protecting a point for the visitors and denying Canada a landmark victory to go with their first point.

Canada created enough before Larin’s strike to feel frustrated. Jonathan David, involved in over a third of Canada’s goals across their last two major tournaments, wasted the clearest of several sights of goal by driving a central effort straight at Vasilj. Oluwaseyi also headed goalwards, only for Ermedin Demirovic to clear off the line.

The second period produced further drama at both ends. Richie Laryea almost equalised on 53 minutes when a low shot slipped through Vasilj’s legs, but Kolasinac retreated to hook the ball against the underside of the bar and away. Soon after, Demirovic broke clear between two defenders, yet Maxime Crepeau rushed out quickly and forced the forward to send the chance wide.

Canada’s threat extended across the front line despite the absence of injured star Alphonso Davies, whose previous World Cup goal had made the captain the only Canadian scorer at the tournament before Larin. Oluwaseyi showed energy but blazed one promising effort over the bar under limited pressure as Canada searched for composure in key moments.

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That attacking depth, combined with energetic pressing, suggested potential for growth under Marsch, who is the first American manager to lead another nation at the men’s World Cup. The performance, while wasteful, indicated that Canada have moved beyond previous campaigns, as they no longer appear overmatched against experienced opposition such as Bosnia-Herzegovina.

For Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lukic’s breakthrough and the disciplined rearguard display delivered encouragement, particularly with Dzeko unused. Canada, meanwhile, leave their Group B opener with renewed belief, a first World Cup point secured, and clear evidence that sharpening finishing could turn competitive performances into the nation’s long-awaited first tournament win.