In the World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the co-hosts had to come from from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw and it took a 79th minute strike from substitute Cyle Larin to do it. The result gives Canada it's first ever World Cup point, but the story of the night was the chances they spurned and the late heroics that saved them.
A FRUSTRATING FIRST HALF
For 45 minutes, it looked like it just wasn't Canada's day. Bosnian struck first in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukic nodded home from close range after Sead Kolasinac flicked on a corner. From there, Canada's wasteful finishing took centre stage.
Jonathan David, the face of this Canadian attack, fired straight at the keeper in the 17th minute when clean through. Taking Oluwaseyi did the same in the 33nd, blazing over with the goal at his mercy. The chances kept coming, but the composure didn't.
BOSNIA'S GOAL-LINE STAND
The second half didn't get any easier. Canada cranked up the pressure, and Bosnia answered with desperate defending. Richie Laryea beat the keeper in the 53rd minute only for Kolasinac to deflect his shot onto the bar. 14 minute later, Nikola Katic cleared Oluwaseyi's header off the line. Two golden opportunities, two miraculous escapes.
In between, Bosnian nearly made Canada pay. Ermedin Demirovic broke through one on one in the 54th minute but failed to convert.
SUBS CHANGE THE GAME
Jesse Marsch's bench swung it. Cyle Larin came on and needed just 121 seconds to make his mark, finishing from inside the box after a clever flick from fellow substitute Promise David in the 79th minute. Toronto erupted. Larin almost won it in stoppage time, but Tarik Muharemovic blocked his late effort.
THE DAVID DILEMMA
The big question coming out of this o ne is Jonathan David. The Juventus striker looked short on confidence 24 touches, lowest among Canada's starters, and a missed chance that should have buried. It follows a rough club season where he managed just 8 goals in 46 games.
Meanwhile, Larin and Promise David looked sharper, hungrier, and combined for the equaliser. With a must win game against Qatar next, Marsch has a decision to make, stick with David and hope the confidence returns, or go with the in form options off the bench.
MARSCH'S MASSAGE
The Canada boss didn't hide his disappointment with the first half, "We were tentative. We didn't play as aggressively as I would have liked." But he praised the second half response. "We've got them now, it's time to put your foot on the jugular and go for the goal.
He called the point really big to keep Canada in the group, but was clear the next performance has to be a learning point.
BOTTOM LINE
Canada showed grit to avoid defeat, but grit alone won't get them out of the group. They created the chances. They just need to start finishing them. Against Qatar, clinical has to be the word.
One point is better than zero. But if Canada went to make history, they'll need more than last minute rescues.
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