Bosnia Stuns Canada Early With Set-Piece Goal in World Cup Opener

Canada entered the match with high expectations and hopes that home support would help after failing to win any game at the World Cup, but it fell behind early on Friday against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The decisive moment came from a set piece, when Jovo Lukić scored to give Bosnia the lead.

Canadian observers reacted with frustration. Gareth Wheeler wrote, “We conceded a goal and they sent us to the water break. You can’t imagine worse minutes.” CBC also questioned the atmosphere, saying, “The game is in Canada and you mostly hear the Bosnians, who is the host?”

Bosnia is known for its strength on set pieces, a quality that helped it in World Cup qualifying, and it delivered again even with veteran Edin Džeko on the bench. Mitchell Tierney said Canada “had to prepare for set pieces,” adding that the team “played well before the goal, but fell at an early stage.” Another Canadian comment called it “a big mistake in Bosnia’s first real chance,” and said Jonathan David should have scored earlier.

Lukić, who scored his first ever goal for Bosnia, was also held in his shirt as he struck the ball, meaning Bosnia likely would have earned a penalty anyway if the shot had not gone in. The match was played in Canada on Friday evening, and the article framed the result as a disappointing start for the hosts.