A 1-1 draw against Bosnia

LIVE: Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina!

For a long time, the Canadians were trailing 0-1, but in the end they earned at least a point against Bosnia and Herzegovina!(Bild: AFP/CHARLOTTE WILSON)

They had tried six times in group stage matches so far and six times nothing had happened, but on the seventh attempt it worked—Canada has earned a point at a World Cup for the first time ever in soccer history! In front of (officially) around 43,000 spectators at BMO Field in their home city of Toronto, Canada spent much of the match chasing a deficit against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but shortly before the end, Cyle Larin’s goal finally secured the historic result…

While the national anthems of both countries were being sung, the Canadians, with their melodic yet forward-driving “O Canada,” were able to set the first “offensive tone” compared to Bosnia’s deliberate, sad, and solemn “Intermeco,” , it was soon over thanks to the Sturm und Drang of Jonathan David and Co. after referee Facundo Tello blew the whistle. The Bosnians, who are ranked 60th in the FIFA World Rankings—well behind the Canadians in 30th place—jumped right into their fourth-ever World Cup match without hesitation.

The Canadian team(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/MICHAEL STEELE)

The Bosnian team(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/MICHAEL STEELE)

Bosnia with plenty of early pressure
As the hosts generally lined up in a flexible 4-4-2 formation, the first minutes of the match clearly belonged to the Balkan side. No wonder, then, that the first chance of the opening match in World Cup Group B went to the Bosnians, who fielded Klagenfurt-born defender Tarik Muharemović in their starting lineup: Following a free kick by Sead Kolašinac, Nikola Katić headed the ball back from the penalty area in the 3rd minute, from where Amar Memić took a shot from about 15 meters—but sent it well over the bar. Lucky for Canada…

The “Maple Leafs” also had a bit of luck in the 12th minute, as referee Tello could well have opted for a red card instead of a yellow one had he applied the rules more strictly following a foul from behind by Alistair Johnston on Memić. Bosnia captain Kolašinac had made a strong case for it, but the Argentine stuck to his decision.

(Bild: AP/Frank Gunn)

Lukić heads Bosnia into a deserved lead
After the first huge chance for the seemingly slow-starting players of former Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch —offensive star David failed to beat the Bosnian goalkeeper from about 12 meters out after a “gift” from Marsch’s former Salzburg protégé Amar Dedić—the ball found the back of the Canadian net not long after. Kolašinac flicked on a corner kick from Ivan Bašić from the near post into the center, where Jovo Lukić headed it in (21') – 1-0 for Bosnia, a goal to the delight of the numerous “Dragons” fans, who turned the match against Canada into at least a half-home game.

"Expected Goals" for the first half? 0.57 to 0.79
The actual home team was now in trouble; Marsch’s squad needed a few minutes to digest the shock of conceding the goal. However, against the Bosnians—who, with the lead behind them, were now sitting deep and at times defending with a back five—the offensive efforts proved to be quite tough. By halftime, the Canadians had extended their dominance in terms of possession to 67 percent.

(Bild: AP/NATHAN DENETTE)

But a big scoring chance that could have forced Bosnian goalie Nikola Vasilj into a save? None to be found! A long-range shot by Tani Oluwaseyi (32’/over), a botched bicycle kick by David (38’), and a header by Derek Cornelius (45'+2/over) were the closest things that could even remotely be described as dangerous. And what did the recently popular “Expected Goals” statistic say about the first half? 0.57 to 0.79—so clearly room for improvement…

The second half began without any substitutions, but with a few early surprises in the form of good chances for Canada. After beating Katić in the penalty area, Oluwaseyi forced Bosnian keeper Vasilj into a last-ditch save (47th). Five minutes later, a brilliant combination down the left suddenly left Richie Laryea free to shoot from five yards out—while goalie Vasilj watched the ball in disbelief, Kolašinac reacted with quick thinking and deflected the ball onto the crossbar.

Sead Kolašinac making his miraculous save …(Bild: AP/NATHAN DENETTE)

(Bild: AP/NATHAN DENETTE)

Almost immediately on the counterattack, the “Dragons” had another chance to make it 2-0, but Ermedin Demirović ran out of steam a bit on a solo run toward the Canadian goal and couldn’t get the ball past the rushing keeper Maxime Crépeau (54th min.).

Canadians step up the pressure but lack luck
The Bosnian chance remained an exception, however, as the Canadians pressed for the equalizer with great vehemence and passion, but still lacked precision (and probably luck as well!). Half-chances by substitute Promise David (63') and Stephen Eustáquio (64'/long-range shot well wide) were followed by the next huge chance for the "Maple Leafs": Once again, the very active Villarreal forward came close to scoring when he headed a Shaffelburg cross past Vasilj toward the goal line —but this time, Katić, like Kolašinac before him, played the spoilsport and headed the ball out of the danger zone (66').

One of the now-obligatory water breaks shortly thereafter seemed to stifle the Canadian onslaught; Marsch’s team couldn’t really get into the dangerous zones for a few minutes, as the Bosnians stood too deep and too securely against the attacks. And yet, they ultimately failed in their efforts to secure the three points: Cyle Larin, who had come on as a substitute shortly before, perfectly controlled a difficult through ball from Promise David, spun around his own axis and his opponent at the edge of the penalty area with his back to the Bosnian goal, and fired off a left-footed shot—Vasilj had no chance, Canada equalized (79').

(Bild: AP/Sammy Kogan)

Both teams still have a chance to advance to the knockout round
The “Dragons,” who had looked so aggressive and dangerous for much of the early part of the match, were now completely knocked out, appearing more toothless and harmless with every passing minute. Yet somehow they still managed to scrape through the final minutes, defending with everything they had. The last offensive play was telling, as two Bosnians bravely threw themselves in front of a shot by goal-scorer Larin. It worked, because soon after that it was all over—and ultimately, the draw keeps both teams’ hopes of advancing to the knockout round alive. While it’s likely to be tough for both the Canadians and Bosnia and Herzegovina against Switzerland, a lot should be possible against Qatar…

P.S.: While Canada could “only” equalize against Bosnia in terms of goals, the match was actually flipped according to Expected Goals; after the final whistle, the figures stood at 1.25 and 0.98 …

The result:
Canada – Bosnia and Herzegovina 1:1 (0:1)
Toronto, BMO Field, 43,002 spectators, Referee Facundo Tello

Goals: 0–1 (21') Lukić, 1–1 (78') Larin

Yellow cards: Johnston, De Fougerolles and Demirovic, Lukic, Katic

Canada: Crepeau – Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea – Buchanan (61. Ahmed), Eustaquio (91. Osorio), Kone, Millar (61. Shaffelburg) – J. David (61. P. David), Oluwaseyi (76. Larin)
Bosnia: Vasilj – Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac (83. Burnic) – Bajraktarevic (74. Sunjic), Basic (61. Gigovic), Tahirovic, Memic (74. Alajbegovic) – Demirovic, Lukic (61. Bazdar)