Larin’s late equalizer secures historic point
Canada earned its first-ever point in a Men’s World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The equalizer came late in the game, 78 minutes in, from Cyle Larin, who had been introduced as a substitute. The goal sparked a significant celebration at the Toronto Stadium, which was previously known as BMO Field.
The atmosphere at the stadium was described as unprecedented following Larin’s goal. Midfielder Ismaël Koné, whose run initiated the scoring play, expressed the intensity of the moment, stating he felt like he would faint. Koné believed the team deserved the goal, having pushed for it throughout the match, hitting the bar and maintaining momentum.
Larin, who started on the bench for the home opener, scored just two minutes after entering the game. His celebration, which involved putting index fingers in his ears, was directed at critics. Larin stated that the goal, his first international goal in 18 months, proved doubters wrong and came when his country needed it most.
Coach Marsch reflects on team performance and future matches
Canada’s coach, Jesse Marsch, acknowledged the impact of his substitutions, particularly Larin’s goal, but also emphasized the need to improve the performance of his starting players. Marsch had previously reshuffled his attack after less effective displays in warm-up games against Uzbekistan and Ireland, noting a lack of finishing.
The coach highlighted that a home World Cup presents a unique environment, suggesting that teams often start with tension in the initial stages before finding their rhythm. He referenced historical examples, such as Argentina’s loss to Saudi Arabia in the previous World Cup, to illustrate this point.
Marsch also noted that captain Alphonso Davies and defender Moïse Bombito are recovering from injuries. The team is set to travel across the country to Vancouver for their next match against Qatar on Thursday, benefiting from an extra day’s break between games as co-hosts.
Opening ceremonies and fan reactions across host cities
The World Cup kicked off with vibrant opening ceremonies across the three host countries. Canada hosted its own ceremony in Toronto, featuring performances by singers Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé. Other performers included Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyes, Nora Fatehi, and indigenous artist William Prince.
Fans gathered at the Toronto Fan Zone, where entry was free, to cheer on Canada. Many, like Torontonian Angela Aco, found game tickets too expensive but enjoyed the communal atmosphere. Peter Giacobbe, a Toronto native, expressed excitement about making Canadian history, a sentiment echoed by his friend Robert McIntosh.
Supporters of the Bosnian team also showed up in significant numbers, with some traveling from their home country for the first time since 2014 to see their team play in the World Cup. Layla Mesic, a Bosnian-Canadian, proudly supported Bosnia, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience despite the cost.
The United States marked its first home World Cup since 1994 with an opening ceremony in Los Angeles, featuring performances from Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, Anitta, and LISA from Blackpink. Mexico’s opening match on Thursday featured Shakira and Burna Boy. The 2026 tournament is set to be the largest ever, with 48 nations competing.
The final game of the tournament is planned for 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and will include a star-studded closing ceremony with performances by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Madonna, and Shakira.
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Source: theguardian.com
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