Canada claim historic first World Cup point in Bosnia draw

Cyle Larin's late equaliser earned Canada a 1-1 draw with Bosnia at BMO Field — the first World Cup point in the nation's history, in the first men's World Cup match on Canadian soil.

Canada wrote a small piece of history at BMO Field in Toronto, fighting back to draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina and claim the first World Cup point in the nation's history — fittingly, in the first men's World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil.

It had threatened to be a chastening afternoon. Bosnia led at the break through Jovo Lukić, who marked his first international goal by putting the visitors ahead, and for long stretches the co-hosts looked tight and anxious in front of their own fans.

The breakthrough came late. In the 78th minute, substitute Cyle Larin corralled the ball on the edge of the box, spun and fired a shot that deflected off a Bosnian defender and beat the goalkeeper — sparking delirium in Toronto and rescuing a point.

The result matters more than the scoreline suggests. Canada had lost all six of their previous World Cup matches, across 1986 and 2022, without ever taking a point. This was the first, and on home soil it felt like a milestone for a programme on the rise.

In Group B, it leaves Canada and Bosnia level on a point apiece, with Switzerland and Qatar still to play their opener. For Bosnia, a draw away to a host nation is a respectable start; for Canada, it is history — and a platform to build on.

For neutrals, including fans here in Kenya, it was a reminder of why co-hosting matters: a packed Toronto crowd, a late equaliser, and a country tasting World Cup points for the very first time.