Canada 1-1 Bosnia
by Layth Yousif 
at Toronto Stadium

CYLE LARIN’S 78th-minute equaliser prompted unbridled scenes of joy among Canada’s passionate support in the sellout crowd of 43,002 at the Toronto Stadium.

Fans in a sea of red at the ground situated near Toronto’s downtown erupted in ear-splitting noise, as the 31-year-old Southampton attacker levelled Jovan Lukic’s first-half opener for Bosnia in their opening World Cup clash in Group B.

Larin’s late goal saw Canadian fans burst into prolonged wild celebrations as the hosts emerged with a hard-fought point at Toronto FC’s ground on Friday afternoon.

Larin could even have won it at the death but his 96th-minute shot was blocked by heroic defending by Tarik Muharemovic, whose last-gasp block denied the former Feyenoord forward.

Earlier there was a carnival atmosphere in the city with thousands upon thousands of exuberant Canadian fans making a lively spectacle. Not to mention the large numbers who also took part in the fan walk in the blazing Ontario sunshine before the game, with many gathering from 7am to mark their country’s opening game the 2026 global jamboree. 

During the opening ceremony which included a procession of flags from all 48 countries taking part in the expanded tournament, it was noticeable that the US Stars and Stripes was roundly booed by both sets of fans.

“We are a country marked by many cultures who make us who were are today, and are proud to share this moment with the world, and welcome you from coast to coast to coast,” said the stadium announcer proudly, while standing on a gold hexagon in the centre circle, that was to play host to Canadian crooner Michael Buble. Prior to Alanis Morissette’s rousing rendition of the home country’s national anthem, which followed Bosnia’s haunting effort, that came with a solo violinist. 

An ear-splitting flypast from the Canadian Forces Snowbirds military aerobatics squadron followed before Argentinian referee Facundo Tello blew for the official start of Canada’s 2026 World Cup tournament.

The home side made a lively start with Juve’s No 10 Jonathan David testing Bosnia keeper Nikola Vasilj, with the 30-year-old St Pauli shotstopper equal to the task.

Former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch’s Canada side included Celtic defender Alistair Johnston, Hull midfielder Liam Millar, with Juventus striker Jonathan David up top.

Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies was ruled out as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

Bosnia head coach Sergej Barbarez opted to start with 40-year-old veteran Edin Dzeko on the bench, while former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac started at right-back, with Hull midfielder Amir Hadziahmetovic among the replacements.

However, against the early run of play, the Dragons went ahead through Lukic in the 21st minute, prompting sheer bedlam among the team, who celebrated wildly along the touchline, to be joined by the substitutes bench and back-room staff, as the small pocket of Bosnian blue amid an ocean of red in the second tier behind the goal unleashed blue smoke to mark the momentous occasion.

Stung, the home side powered forward with Tani Oluwaseyi firing over when well-placed, Villarreal’s 26-year-old Nigeria-born attacker lacking composure in the 31st minute. 

During the interval Bryan Adams’s iconic Summer of ’69 blasted out over the booming speakers, introduced as “Canada’s unofficial anthem,” as large numbers of spectators decamped to the crowded concourses, packed with numerous stalls flogging official merchandise, as well as plentiful food outlets, many stocking preposterously-oversized and overpriced bags of popcorn. 

Fans left queuing missed an action-packed start to the second half, with former Arsenal left-back Kolasinac putting in an early contender for the best goal-line clearance of the tournament, with his last-gasp block diverting Juve attacker David’s effort onto the bar and away to safety. Bosnia then broke, with Stuttgart forward Ermedin Demirovic denied by Canada keeper Maxime Crepeau’s brave block.

Yet Jesse Marsch’s Canada rattled Bosnia, pushing them ever deeper as the game wore on. The dominance was eventually to tell with 12 minutes remaining, when Promise David flicked the ball to Larin, who swivelled to volley past the despairing dive of Vasilj to cue deep, deep joy.

It was nothing more than the home side deserved here in this wonderfully diverse city.