06/12/26 04:19:00
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06/12 16:17 CDT Larin scores in 78th minute to rally Canada to 1-1 draw with
Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup opener
Larin scores in 78th minute to rally Canada to 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina
in World Cup opener
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
TORONTO (AP) --- Late substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute and
co-host Canada earned its first point in its 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 that included hockey star Connor McDavid and
actor Ryan Reynolds, Larin converted Promise David's pass a mere two minutes
after entering the game.
The goal was only the second in World Cup play scored by Canada after the team
lost all three of its games at the 1986 World Cup 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 is making its second World Cup appearance after
failing to advance out of group play in 2014.
Starting in place of Edin Dzeko (shoulder) and Haris Tabakovic (undisclosed),
Lukic was in a 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.
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 Eustaquio 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 was playing without Alphonso Davies (hamstring), who scored the nation's
first World Cup goal four years ago in Qatar.
Canada now shifts to Vancouver for its 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.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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