Late substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute as co-hosts Canada earned their first point in their third World Cup appearance - and first on home soil - by rallying for a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Playing in the shadow of Toronto's iconic CN Tower, and in front of a sea of red "Ca-na-da!"-chanting fans that included hockey star Connor McDavid and actors Ryan Reynolds and Mike Myers, Larin converted Promise David's pass a mere two minutes after entering the game on Friday (Saturday AEST).
"The crowd, I think, willed us into the game as (the players) could feel that energy in the second half tilting more and more," said Canada coach Jesse Marsch.
The coach took particular delight upon learning Myers, who portrayed international man of mystery Austin Powers in the movies, was among those on hand.
"Oh, sweet," Marsch said.
It was an even better feeling for Larin, who normally starts but had to bide his time watching from the bench until late in the second half.
"It was amazing feeling, just to score a goal on home soil, where I'm from, and just to celebrate with the fans, amazing atmosphere," said Larin, who plays for second-division English club Southampton and is from Toronto's suburb of Brampton.
The goal was only the second in World Cup play scored by Canada after the team lost all three of their games at the 1986 tournament in Mexico and again four years ago in Qatar.
Injury fill-in Jovo Lukic headed in a corner kick in the 21st minute for Bosnia-Herzegovina, who are making their second World Cup appearance after failing to advance out of group play in 2014.
Starting in place of Edin Dzeko (shoulder) and Haris Tabakovic (undisclosed), Lukic was in an ideal position to cap off a set piece, with captain Sead Kolasinac flicking along a header off Ivan Basic's corner kick.Â
The goal was Lukic's first in international play and came in the 27-year-old attacker's fourth international appearance.
Despite giving up the lead, the small Balkan nation of about three million people keep coming up big on the international stage - including eliminating four-time champions Italy in the European playoffs.
Before Larin's goal, Canada's best scoring chance came in the 54th minute when captain Stephen Eustaquio fed the ball to Richie Laryea in front of a wide-open net. The ball deflected off Kolasinac's foot and hit the crossbar.
Canada were playing without Alphonso Davies (hamstring), who scored the nation's first World Cup goal four years ago in Qatar.
Canada now shift to Vancouver for their final two group games, against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
The Bosnians also head west, with games against Switzerland on June 18 in Los Angeles and Qatar on June 24 in Seattle.