Canada waited 40 years for this moment.

Not only for a World Cup match on home soil, but for proof that they’d truly arrived on football’s biggest stage. While Friday night’s 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina may not have delivered the victory Canadian supporters craved, it did provide them with their first-ever World Cup point.

Under the shadow of Toronto’s CN Tower and in front of a sold-out sea of red, Canada fought back from a first-half deficit to earn a historic result in its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The evening felt monumental long before kickoff. Musical performances from Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette set the stage, while celebrities including Ryan Reynolds and Connor McDavid joined nearly 50,000 supporters for Canada's first-ever men's World Cup match on home soil.

The atmosphere was electric, but the visitors, Bosnia and Herzegovina, handled it remarkably well.

Despite Canada controlling possession and territory for much of the opening half, it was the visitors who struck first. In the 21st minute, captain Sead Kolašinac flicked on an Ivan Bašić corner, and striker Jovo Lukić rose unmarked to guide a header into the net for his first international goal.

The goal stunned the crowd and punished Canada for a recurring problem throughout the night: a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

Jonathan David, carrying much of the attacking burden in the absence of injured captain Alphonso Davies, saw a golden first-half opportunity comfortably saved by Nikola Vasilj. Tani Oluwaseyi also squandered a promising chance as Canada repeatedly found good positions without finding a finish.

Still, Jesse Marsch's side never lost control of the match.

Richie Laryea came agonizingly close to equalizing early in the second half when his effort appeared destined for the net before Kolašinac produced an extraordinary goal-line intervention, diverting the shot onto the crossbar. Canada continued to push, with Stephen Eustáquio dictating play from midfield and Ismaël Koné helping drive attacks through the center.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute.

Marsch turned to veteran striker Cyle Larin, introducing Canada's all-time leading scorer with just over a quarter-hour remaining. Less than two minutes later, he delivered.

After Promise David found him inside the penalty area, Larin spun away from his marker and fired a clinical finish past Vasilj, sending Toronto Stadium into chaos. The goal was Canada's second-ever at a men's World Cup and perhaps its most important.

"It was special for me," Larin said afterward. "I score when Canada needs me, and always have done."

Canada nearly found a winner in the closing stages, but Bosnia held firm to secure a share of the points.

The final whistle brought a mix of emotions. Relief. Pride. Perhaps even a hint of frustration.

Four years ago in Qatar, Canada left empty-handed after three defeats. On Friday, the co-hosts opened their home World Cup by ending a six-match losing streak at the tournament and collecting their first point on the global stage.

History was made, but Canada will need to find a victory in their next two games if they hope to advance to the knockouts.

They’ll head to Vancouver to face Qatar in their second Group B match.