WK
Former Feyenoord player Cyle Larin has given host country Canada the first ever World Cup point. The striker scored in the final phase against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which seemed to have won the victory for a long time: 1-1.
Although the Canadians were the better team, tough Bosnia took the lead early. After the World Cup was officially opened for the second time – this time with a ceremony full of Canadian artists, including Michael Bublé – Canada was on the hunt for its first ever World Cup victory.
But things also went smoothly against Bosnia, with PSV player Esmir Bajraktarević and former Ajax player Benjamin Tahirović in the starting line-up. Despite a big chance for Juventus striker Jonathan David, Bosnia took the lead in the 21st minute through a powerful header from Romanian league player Jovo Lukić.
The Bosnians held onto that lead until the eightieth minute. Canada was also the dominant party in the second half, with more ball possession, more corners and more attempts on goal. Still, the ball just wouldn’t go in. To make matters worse, a shot from left back Richie Laryea exploded off a Bosnian leg onto the underside of the crossbar.
And then there was substitute Cyle Larin. The striker, who failed at Feyenoord last season (15 games, 1 goal), crowned himself the savior of his homeland. In the eightieth minute he beautifully turned away from his opponent and scored flawlessly: 1-1. In the closing seconds he even almost scored the 2-1 goal.
After the disappointing rental period by Real Mallorca to Feyenoord, Larin did revive at Southampton. In England’s second level, he scored nine goals in 22 games in the second half of the season.
Canada will play the second group match against Qatar on Friday, June 19. Bosnia and Herzegovina will face Switzerland in Group B on Thursday, June 18.
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Opportunity Canada!
In the last minute of the match, Larin gets another chance. The ball is blocked.
Yellow card for Nikola Katic
Katic is forced to pull Larin down. A justified yellow card.
Stephen Eustáquio is replaced by Jonathan Osorio
Ninety minutes played. Canada seems to be playing to a draw. That would being the first ever World Cup point for Canada.
We get six minutes of extra time.
Sead Kolašinac is replaced by Dzenis Burnic
1-1 GOAL by Cyle Larin!
A golden change! Note that the man who completely failed at Feyenoord shoots Canada to the deserved equalizer.
Tani Oluwaseyi is replaced by Cyle Larin
Amar Memic is replaced by Kerim Alajbegovic
Esmir Bajraktarevic is replaced by Ivan Šunjic
Scot Canada!
Time is running out for the homeland. Then from a distance. Eustáquio’s attempt goes wide. Still, Canada will have to keep trying.
Jovo Lukic is replaced by Samed Bazdar
Ivan Basic is replaced by Armin Gigovic
Jonathan David is replaced by Promise David
Can the striker of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise will score goals?
Tajon Buchanan is replaced by Ali Ahmed
Liam Millar is replaced by Jacob Shaffelburg
New rule applied
Bosnia took longer than five seconds to complete a throw-in, so the throw-in passed to Canada.
On the bar!
How is it possible? Left back Laryea takes a shot at goal, but the ball hits a Bosnian leg on the underside of the crossbar. What luck!
Yellow card for Luc De Fougerolles
Collision
Goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj hits the attacker’s head with two fists Oluwaseyi, steaming towards him. Both players need some care, but can continue.
