Canada has secured its first point in the history of the FIFA World Cup after drawing the match with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on Friday.
Playing in the first FIFA World Cup finals match ever staged on Canadian soil, Canada recovered from an early setback to earn a share of the points in front of a crowd of more than 43,000 supporters.
Bosnia and Herzegovina took the lead in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukic headed home from a corner, silencing much of the home crowd and sparking celebrations among the travelling Bosnian fans.
Canada enjoyed much of the possession throughout the opening half but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Jonathan David tested goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj early on, while Ismael Kone missed a promising opportunity before the break.
The hosts continued to press after half-time and came close to equalising on several occasions. Veteran Bosnian defender Sead Kolasinac produced a crucial intervention midway through the second half, diverting David’s goal-bound effort onto the crossbar.
Canada’s persistence was finally rewarded in the 78th minute when striker Cyle Larin found the net, sending the home supporters into celebration and securing a landmark moment in the country’s football history.
The co-hosts pushed for a winner in the closing stages and came close to snatching all three points, but Bosnia held firm to secure a draw.
The result ends Canada’s losing run at the World Cup. The national team had previously lost all six matches during its appearances at the 1986 and 2022 tournaments.
The historic occasion attracted several high-profile Canadian celebrities, including actor Ryan Reynolds and comedian Mike Myers, who watched from the stands as Canada claimed its first-ever World Cup point.
Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina now turn their attention to their remaining Group B fixtures as both sides look to strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stage.
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