In the first match in Toronto, Bosnia took a 21st-minute lead when Jovo Lukic headed in a flicked-on corner by Ivan Basic. But Canadian substitute Cyle Larin equalised for the hosts in the 78th minute to secure a draw – Canada’s first ever in the World Cup.

"It was special for me”, Larin said after the match. “I was ready to come and help the team. I thought the goals would come. I score when Canada needs me, and always have done. I want to play every game. I’ve been working hard every game with my club to play every game, but sometimes you don’t have control over that. 

“We just have to stay concentrated. We’ll be playing at home and just have to push the limit,” he said.

It was the first time Canada had avoided defeat in the World Cup group stages after they had been beaten in all three games in 1986 and then again in 2022.

In the second opener of the day, the USA thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles. The hosts scored within the first seven minutes, courtesy of an own goal from Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla.

The hero of the night, and Player of the Match, was former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who scored twice in the first half.   He also became the fourth player in as many FIFA World Cups to score a brace in a host nation's opening match. 

Paraguay

The other three were: Neymar in 2014, Denis Cheryshev in 2018, and Enner Valencia in 2022.

Paraguay fought back after the restart with a goal by Julio Enciso, but the final nail in the coffin was delivered by USA substitute Giovanni Reyna, who scored with the final kick of the game.

It was the United States’ joint-biggest win at a World Cup, matching the 3-0 victories against Paraguay and Belgium in 1930, when they finished third.

Canada will play their next match on Friday, 19 June against Qatar in Vancouver, while the USA will take on Australia in Seattle on the same day.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg