Larin rescues late draw for Canada against Bosnia-Herzegovina

Updated: Jun 13, 2026, 06:19 am

TORONTO -- Substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute and co-host Canada earned a first point in their third World Cup appearance -- and first on home soil -- by rallying for a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday.

Playing in the shadow of Toronto's iconic CN Tower and in front of a sea of red "Ca-na-da!" chanting fans including hockey star Connor McDavid and actor Ryan Reynolds, Larin converted Promise David's pass just two minutes after entering the game.

The goal was only the second in World Cup play for Canada after the team lost all three of its games at the 1986 tournament in Mexico and again four years ago at Qatar.

Injury fill-in Jovo Lukic headed in a corner kick in the 21st minute for Bosnia-Herzegovina, which are making their second World Cup appearance. Bosnia-Herzegovina failed to advance out of group play in Brazil in 2014.

Starting in place of Edin Dzeko (shoulder) and Haris Tabakovic (undisclosed), Lukic was in an ideal position to cap a set piece with captain Sead Kolasinac flicking along a header off Ivan Basic's corner kick. The goal was Lukic's first in international play and coming in the 27-year-old attacker's fourth international appearance.

Cyle Larin, right, celebrates after scoring a game for Canada in their opening match against Bosnia.
Cyle Larin, right, celebrates after scoring a game for Canada in their opening match against Bosnia.
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Despite giving up the lead, the small Balkan nation of about 3 million people keeps coming up big on the international stage -- including eliminating four-time champion Italy in the European playoffs.

Before Larin's goal, Canada's best scoring chance came in the 54th minute when captain Stephen Eustáquio fed the ball to Richie Laryea in front of a wide-open net. The ball deflected off Kolasinac's foot and hit the crossbar.

Canada played without Alphonso Davies (hamstring), who scored the nation's first World Cup goal four years ago in Qatar.

Canada now shift to Vancouver for their final two group games, against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.

The Bosnians also head west, with games against Switzerland on June 18 in Los Angeles and Qatar on June 24 in Seattle.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this recap.