Cyle Larin rescues Canada as Bosnia hold co-hosts to opening World Cup 2026 draw

For most of the night, Canada played like a side repeatedly hitting a sealed door, hoping sheer force would make it give way.

The chances came in waves, the pressure never really stopped, but Bosnia and Herzegovina refused to crack. At BMO Field, frustration built with every passing minute—until one substitution changed the tone entirely.

Cyle Larin needed barely a few minutes to alter the story. Introduced in the 76th minute, he struck almost immediately, scoring a vital equaliser that salvaged a 1–1 draw for Canada in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B opener on Friday night. It was a result that reflected Canada’s dominance over long spells, even if Bosnia will feel they were moments away from pulling off a statement win.

Canada began with energy and intent, feeding off a lively home crowd and pushing Bosnia deep early on. But momentum faded quickly once the visitors showed their defensive discipline and set-piece threat, reminding the co-hosts that possession alone does not decide World Cup matches.

The breakthrough came in the 21st minute from a corner. Ivan Bašić delivered a dangerous ball into the area, Sead Kolašinac nodded it across goal, and Jovo Lukić reacted quickest to turn it in from close range—his first international goal putting Bosnia ahead against the run of early pressure.

From that point, the match shifted. Bosnia settled into a compact shape, absorbing pressure and inviting Canada to break them down. The hosts controlled the ball and territory but struggled to find clear openings as the visitors crowded their box and slowed the tempo.

By halftime, Canada had the initiative, but Bosnia had the lead.

The second half became a sustained siege.

Canada increased the tempo, pushed higher up the pitch and began carving out real chances. The clearest came in the 53rd minute when Stephen Eustáquio slipped Richie Laryea through on goal. Laryea beat the goalkeeper and looked set to score, only for Kolašinac to produce a remarkable recovery clearance off the line, hooking the ball onto the crossbar and away to safety.

Bosnia nearly doubled their lead soon after when Ermedin Demirović broke free, but Maxime Crépeau rushed out sharply to deny him and keep Canada alive in the contest.

As the clock ticked down, the game seemed to be slipping away from the hosts.

Then the bench intervened.

Larin’s impact was instant. Promise David found him with a clever flick, and the striker did the rest—turning sharply and drilling a low finish into the bottom corner in the 78th minute. After hours of frustration, Canada finally had their breakthrough.

He almost completed a dramatic turnaround in stoppage time as well, but Tarik Muharemović threw himself in the way to block what looked like a certain winner.

There were no perfect endings, but there was relief.

Canada will take encouragement from their overall performance. Even without injured captain Alphonso Davies, they controlled large stretches of the match, pinned Bosnia back for long periods, and created enough chances to feel they could have won it.

More importantly, they showed patience and resilience. Falling behind in a World Cup opener at home can easily derail a performance, but Canada kept playing their football, kept pushing, and eventually found a way through.

Bosnia, meanwhile, left with a result they will value highly. Organized, physical and dangerous from set pieces, they absorbed pressure for long spells and rarely lost their structure, coming within minutes of a memorable away win.