Cyle Larin wasn't happy about FIFA World Cup benching before saving the day for Canada
It had been almost two years since Canadian striker Cyle Larin last scored for the men’s national team on the international stage.
And when Friday’s FIFA World Cup opening match began in Toronto, he was benched.
The 31-year-old was surprisingly was left out of Canada’s starting lineup, but came off the bench in the 76th minute for Tani Oluwaseyi and instantly made an impact.
Larin was on the receiving end of a back-heel feed from Promise David, and hammered the ball into the back of the Bosnian net to even the score at one a piece.
CYLE LARIN TIES THE GAME FOR CANADA! pic.twitter.com/56YfnmtMQT
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 12, 2026
Canada’s late equalizer made history for the men’s national team at the FIFA World Cup, earning its first-ever point.
Larin admitted post-match he was upset when he didn’t get the nod from head coach Jesse Marsch to start in the World Cup opener.
“It’s everything I’ve worked for,” Larin told reporters post-game. “But I have been put in this position before, and I’ve now shown I can score.”
“I’ve been working hard at my club all season to play every game, but sometimes I don’t have control. But I have control when I go into the game and I showed today I should be playing.”
Marsch went with Oluwaseyi and Jonathan David as his strikers to start the match. Both had their chances, but were unable to get the team on the scoreboard.
For Larin, the goal was a reminder of the sacrifices he’s made to get himself to this stage.
“The feeling of scoring a goal, on home soil, in a place where I am from. It was amazing,” said Larin. “It’s important for the country that we get a point.”
Cyle Larin and his Canadian men’s national team teammates during the national anthem in Toronto on June 12. (Fareen Karim)
Larin’s goal wouldn’t have been possible without the one-touch flick pass from his compatriot Promise David.
David, who four months ago was questionable to even be on Canada’s FIFA World Cup squad after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured hip tendon, said he was happy to be a direct part of Larin’s goal.
“My pass landed well, then Cyle had a great f*cking touch and buried it,” David said.
The Union SG striker said when Larin was subbed on, he provided Canada with the much-needed boost they needed.
“All of a sudden, we had a fresh attacking force going up against a tired Bosnian defence — something had to fall,” he said.
#CanMNT Promise David on his back-heel flick to Cyle Larin ⚽️
“I could’ve done it with my left, chose my right. It landed well, then Cyle had a great f**king touch and buried it.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself 😂 pic.twitter.com/8im6REFK15
— Marley Dickinson (@marleydickinson) June 12, 2026
Canada’s captain, Stephen Eustáquio, echoed David’s and Larin’s comments, saying it was a very important point for Canada.
“I think we played better than Bosnia, but it’s a World Cup. We now feel confident heading into the game vs. Qatar,” said Eustáquio.
The national team will now head west to Vancouver, as Canada plays Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 at BC Place.
A top-two finish in Group B would put Canada through to the knockout round at a men’s World Cup for the first time. Canada could also qualify by finishing as one of the eight best third-place teams.