Canada and Bosnia failed to decide between themselves for the first meeting of group B, that of Switzerland. In Toronto, the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Murat Yakin and his staff obviously had their eyes on Toronto to see two of Switzerland’s opponents face off. What they saw in the first half was an extremely pragmatic Bosnia who opened the scoring in the 21st with a set piece.
An effective Bosnia
Following a corner, former Marseillais Sead Kolasinac deflected the ball to the near post and Jovo Lukic, starting in place of forty-year-old Edin Dzeko, extended the ball into the net.
The North Americans were just as enterprising in the second half, but they had a little more success. Not in the 53rd however, when Laryea thought he scored, but where Kolasinac was able to touch the ball and miraculously send it onto the crossbar!
At the end of the suspense
Jesse Marsch’s men will finally equalize in the 78th minute thanks to Larin. The Southampton striker was lucky as his effort was deflected by a Bosnian defender, fooling goalkeeper Vasilj.
In the 96th minute, Larin had a golden chance to get the three points, but the Balkan defense held on with a heroic Muharemovic in the circumstance.
