Canada striker Cyle Larin came off the bench and had an almost instant impact to rescue a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, earning the World Cup co-hosts their first-ever point in their third appearance at the finals.
Larin was on the field for less than three minutes in the frenetic Group B opener that long looked like it would end in defeat for the Canadians when he swivelled in the box and fired home the equaliser in the 78th minute to etch his name in history with the first Canadian World Cup goal on home soil.
“It was special for me. I was ready to come and help the team,” said Larin. “I thought the goals would come. I score when Canada needs me, and always have done.”
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Bosnia went ahead in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukic steered home a flick-on from a corner for his first international goal, but Canada thundered forward and should have equalised through Richie Laryea in the 53rd, only for Bosnia’s Sead Kolasinac to miraculously steer his shot off the crossbar and away to safety.
The packed Toronto Stadium along the shores of Lake Ontario is the smallest of the 16 venues for this year’s World Cup but what it lacked in size was made up for in atmosphere as the sea of red supporters clapping and chanting “Ca-na-da” throughout provided a constant soundtrack to the game.
