Kyle Larkin saved Canada by scoring a goal just minutes before the end of the match.Image Credit source: Getty Images
FIFA World Cup 2026 has just started and there was such a thrill in the second match itself, which set the tone for the tournament. This thriller was played not between famous teams but between Canada, which was hosting for the first time, and the small European team Bosnia-Herzegovina. There was no winner in this match and the match was a 1-1 draw but this match brought a historic achievement for Canadian football. On the basis of this draw, Canada achieved a point for the first time in the World Cup and the reason for this was Kyle Larin, who saved the team by scoring a goal in just 121 seconds.
‘Super Sub’ Larin saved
As expected, the Bosnian team looked very aggressive and dominant in this match. The team was continuously attacking and not giving Canada a chance to come forward. Bosnia also got the benefit of this when Jovo Lukich gave the team the lead by scoring a goal in the 21st minute. This lead continued till the end of the first half. In the second half too, Bosnia did not allow Canada to score a goal for a long time. In an attempt to equalize the match, Canada’s attacks increased in the second half but were unsuccessful.
When the team seemed to be heading towards defeat, the Canadian coach took a decision, which proved to be a masterstroke. The coach brought on striker Kyle Larin as a substitute in the 76th minute and then Larin did what he was sent for. Just 121 seconds after stepping onto the pitch, Larin converted a wonderful pass into a goal in the 79th minute. Larin proved to be a ‘super sub’ for Canada and saved the team from defeat.
Canadian account opened
This goal not only made the match a draw, but also brought a historic success to Canadian football. Canada, which is participating in the World Cup for only the third time, had lost in 6 matches of the last 2 World Cups (1986 and 2022). But with this draw, 1 point was added to Canada’s account and thus this team opened its account in World Cup history. Not only this, this goal of Larin has also become one of the fastest substitute goals in World Cup history.
