Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Saturday, June 13, 2026, 00:01 / Updated Saturday, June 13, 2026 00:05
Canada drew Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 in their first Group B match at the 2026 World Cup.
Bosnia's goal was scored by Jovo Lukic in the 21st minute, with a header. The success of the Canadians was signed by Larin in the 78th minute, just two minutes after he had been introduced on the field.
Jovo Lukic, one-man show in the first half of Canada – Bosnia and Herzegovina! The Super League top scorer scored his first international goal
The first match on Canadian soil at the World Championship began with a new opening ceremony, similar to the one in Mexico, but with reduced attendance in the stands. After the starting whistle, when the stadium was seriously populated, Jovo Lukic stole the show in the first half.
The duel started balanced, and the striker of U Cluj started to stand out from the first minutes: active in the offensive in the first quarter of an hour, with a shot on goal and with an impressive physical presence.
Canada responded through Juventus star Jonathan David, who missed a huge opportunity in the 17th minute – Canada's goal scorer had a perfect lane to score, but shot weakly despite having plenty of space and not being tackled by any opponents.
Just 4 minutes after David's huge missJovo Lukic scored his first goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina. And at what time! The Superliga top scorer scored with a header after Kolasniac deflected a corner kick and started the fiesta.
After Jovo Lukic's goal, Bosnia ceded the initiative and Canada began to look for the equalizer. Sergej Barbarez's more aggressive side dominated Canada physically and closed down the lanes sought by the European midfielders. In the first half, since David's opportunity, Marsch's students only collected corners from which they did not generate emotions for Lukic & Co.
9 cornershad Canada in the first half
Bosnia barricaded themselves in the second half: Canada, saved by Larin
In the second half, Canada came out of the locker room stronger, but Marsch's students remained equally uninspired. In search of the equalizing goal, the Canadians did not give emotions to the defense of Barbarez.
In the 53rd minute, Laryea escaped alone with Vasilij, the ball went past the Bosnian, but Kolasinac took it off the goal line and sent the ball into the crossbar. Bosnia responded immediately through Demirovic, in the next phase, who missed alone with the goalkeeper.
In the 76th minute, Marsch introduced Larin in place of Oluwaseyi. The Canadian rookie scored just two minutes after entering the field: David Promise served him perfectly.
From the moment of the tie, the Canadians revitalized themselves. Fresher at the end, the hosts controlled the game, but couldn't find the goal to bring the three points.
Ranking in group B from the 2026 World Championship
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Qatar – Switzerland, the other match in group B, is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, from 22:00 (Romanian time).
FINAL » Canada – Bosnia 1-1
Min. 78: Larin, just two minutes after entering the field, managed to equalize!
Min. 62: Jovo Lukic was replaced. Bazdar entered his place
Min. 54: Huge opportunity for Canada! Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi shot from inside the box, the goalkeeper deflected the ball a little, and Sead Kolasinac, with a lot of luck, deflected onto the crossbar!
Min. 49: Violent collision! Vasilij, the goalkeeper of Bosnia, came out to meet Oluwaseyi and the two collided. The Canadians asked for a penalty, but to no avail.
Start in the second half!
Break!
Min. 21: Lukic opened the scoring! The scorer from U Cluj scored with a header from the box after Kolasinac's deflection at a corner
Min. 17: Incredible miss of star Jonathan David! Canada's top man recovered the ball after a bad clearance by Barbarez's students, took the ball and shot weakly from the box without being embarrassed by any opponents
Game start!
The starting teams in Canada – Bosnia: Jovo Lukic from U Cluj is the starter
Canada (4-4-2): Crepeau – A. Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea – Buchanan, I. Kone, Eustaquio (capt.), Millar – J. David, Oluwaseyi
Reserves: O. Goodman, St.Clair, A. Ahmed, Bombito, Choiniere, P. David, A. Davies, A. Jones, Larin, J. Nelson, Osorio, N. Saliba, Shaffelburg, N. Sigur, Waterman
coach: Jesse Marsch
Bosnia (4-4-2): Vasilj – A. Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac (capt.) – Bajraktarevic, I. Basic, Tahirovic, Memic – Demirovic, Lukic
Reserves: Jurkas, Zlomislic, Alajbegovic, Bazdar, Burnic, E. Dzeko, Gigovic, Hadziahmetovic, Hadzikadunic, Mahmic, Malic, Mujakic, Radeljic, Sunjic, Tabakovic
Selector: Sergey Barbarez
Referee:: Facundo Tello (Argentina)
Stadium: BMO Field (Toronto)
UPDATE 21:40 | The flag parade has started: the stadium is full! Michael Buble gave a short recital
The flag parade has begun. A quarter of an hour before the start, the stadium in Toronto filled up. Michael Buble, one of the most important Canadian singers, gave a short recital. Alanis Morissette performed the Canadian national anthem.
UPDATE 20:40 | The opening ceremony in Canada has begun: the stadium is almost empty
The organizers of the World Championship have decided that each host country will hold an opening ceremony. BMO Field, the stadium where the tour kicks off in Canada, is more empty than full during the ceremony. Alessia Cara was the first artist to sing. Nora Fatehi also sang.
