Co-host
©IMAGO
Canada was unable to overcome its World Cup trauma in the seventh attempt, but averted an opening defeat at the XXL tournament. The co-hosts scored at least one point with the 1-1 (0-1) draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but are still waiting for their first final victory in their third World Cup participation.
In front of 43,002 spectators in Toronto, Jovo Lukić gave Bosnia-Herzegovina the lead in the 21st minute, which Cyle Larin equalized in the 80th minute. The draw gave both teams in Group B the chance to reach the knockout rounds for the first time. Other opponents in the preliminary round are Qatar and Switzerland, who meet on Saturday. Canada lost all six games in its previous World Cup participations in 2022 and 1986.
Hours before kick-off, there was an electric atmosphere in Toronto – where almost everything else revolves around ice hockey, basketball and baseball. Fans of both teams marched through the city center singing and drumming.
However, this meant that thousands of seats remained empty at the official opening party 90 minutes before kick-off. It wasn’t until five-time Grammy award winner Michael Bublé’s appearance shortly before the game started that the stands were almost completely filled. Rock star Alanis Morissette brought the home fans into the emotional mood by singing the Canadian anthem.
When the ball rolled, the home team had to endure a moment of shock. Amar Memic (3rd minute) had a free shot in the penalty area, but aimed too high. After a good quarter of an hour, Canada also had its first chance. However, Jonathan David’s shot did not pose any problems for Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj from Bundesliga relegated FC St. Pauli.
A little later, coach Sergej Barbarez’s team celebrated, having qualified for the finals with a sensational win against Italy in the decisive play-off game. Following a corner, Lukić, who stormed alongside Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirovic instead of Schalke’s oldie Edin Dzeko, headed in from close range to take the lead.
After the first drinking break, the Canadians, who had to do without their not yet fully recovered star Alphonso Davies from German champions Bayern Munich, pushed vehemently for the equalizer. But in the end the tournament co-host was too harmless. The best opportunity was missed by Tani Oluwaseyi, who, to the dismay of the fans, hit the ball well over the goal from around eleven meters.
Even after the change, Canada was the more active team and could have been rewarded with the equalizer much earlier. When Richie Laryea suddenly appeared free in front of the goal and pushed the ball past Vasilj, the fans were already screaming for goal. But at the last moment, ex-Bundesliga professional Sead Kolasinac rushed up and artistically steered the ball onto the crossbar, from where it bounced back into the field.
After 65 minutes the hosts were unlucky again. With a header from the agile Oluwaseyi, Tarik Muharemovic saved just in front of the line for his already beaten goalkeeper. Joker Larin provided Canada’s deserved equalizer with a well-placed shot into the corner. The professional from Southampton FC had only come into the game for Oluwaseyi three minutes earlier.