12 June 2026, Toronto — Canada’s World Cup history changed in two minutes. Substitute Cyle Larin scored just 120 seconds after stepping onto the pitch to rescue a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field, earning the co-hosts their first-ever World Cup point after six straight defeats across three tournaments.
With captain Alphonso Davies sidelined by a hamstring strain, Canada looked destined for another disappointing chapter. Then Larin — the nation’s second all-time leading scorer — wrote a new one.
First Half: Bosnia Strike First
Energised by a stirring rendition of O Canada from Alanis Morissette and a sold-out Toronto Stadium draped in red and white, the hosts started brightly. Jonathan David had a clear sight of goal in the 17th minute, but his low effort was comfortably gathered by Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Four minutes later, the visitors silenced the crowd. Former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac flicked on a set-piece delivery, and forward Jovo Lukić rose highest to power a header past Maxime Crépeau — 1-0 to Bosnia. It was a goal that exposed Canada’s vulnerability in the air and gave Sergej Barbarez’s side a lead they would protect for nearly an hour.
Ismaël Koné had Canada’s best chance of the half in the 30th minute, but blazed over from inside the box, drawing groans from the capacity crowd.
Second Half: Larin to the Rescue
Canada pushed relentlessly after the break. David thought he had equalised when his close-range strike was miraculously hooked off the line by Kolasinac, the ball ricocheting off the crossbar. The former Arsenal man’s intervention seemed to sum up Canada’s night — close, but not close enough.
Jesse Marsch made a triple substitution in the 61st minute, but the decisive move came in the 76th: Cyle Larin replaced Tani Oluwaseyi.
Two minutes. That’s all it took. In the 78th minute, Promise Akinpelu threaded a pass into the box, and Larin — with the instinct of a man who has scored 31 international goals — swivelled and fired past Vasilj. A slight deflection took it beyond the keeper’s reach. BMO Field erupted.
The goal was Larin’s first for Canada since October 2024, and none of the previous 30 meant more.
Late Drama
Seven minutes of stoppage time tested Canadian nerves. Both sides were visibly exhausted, and neither could find a winner. When the final whistle blew, the 1-1 scoreline was met not with disappointment but with relief and celebration — Canada had finally arrived on the World Cup stage.
Match Stats
| Stat | Canada | Bosnia |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Scorers | Larin (78′) | Lukić (21′) |
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
Group B Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Qatar | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Canada | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
All four Group B teams are level on one point.
Upcoming Fixtures
- 18 June: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Switzerland (Group B, Los Angeles)
- 18 June: Canada vs Qatar (Group B, Vancouver)
Sources: SBS Sport, 101 Great Goals, ESPN