While you were sleeping, World Cup edition: Canada make history, but ban Ghana’s Partey

Canada did not play in a World Cup until 1986, they then went 36 years before reaching another, and are taking part in this one because they automatically qualified as hosts. They certainly made the most of the chance to celebrate the occasion on Friday before their historic 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. A rousing rendition of the national anthem from Alanis Morissette ended a sparkling opening ceremony that almost glossed over the country’s border officials getting in on the ‘denying players visas’ action, and Fifa producing a mind-numbingly awful excuse for the banks of empty seats at South Korea’s game against the Czech Republic. It hasn’t been that quiet while you were sleeping, so here’s what you oughta know. Larin’s historic strike Until Friday, Canada’s men had never won a point at a World Cup, and Alphonso Davies’ effort in a 4-1 loss to Croatia in Qatar four years ago was the only time a Canadian had put the ball in the net. The side’s other tournament goal came courtesy of Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd in the final group game in Doha, which the African side won 2-1. So, Cyle Larin’s 79th minute equaliser was something of a historic moment, and it was a perfect finish worthy of the occasion. On as a substitute, the soon-to-be Southampton striker took a neat touch on the edge of the box and sent a half-volley past Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. Cue wild celebrations in a packed BMO Field, and the start of Canada laying siege to their opponent’s goal. Larin almost made it a wild night in Toronto, but was denied a winner in stoppage time. The right result Bosnia can have no complaints about leaving with a point, given they opted to sit back once Jovo Lukic had used his head over his feet to put them in front from a corner in the 21st minute. The 27-year-old, who plies his trade in the Romanian top flight with Universitatea Cluj, won’t forget the day in a hurry. It was his first goal in international football. A stalemate was probably predictable too, given Sergej Barbarez’s side had drawn their previous five games. Still, they needed a remarkable bit of defending from captain Sead Kolasinac, who denied Richie Laryea’s effort, which had gone right through Vasilj, by hacking the ball onto the crossbar from a yard out. They had Nikola Katic to thank soon after, with the veteran defender heading the ball off the line to stop Tani Oluwaseyi from equalising in the 67th minute. Sadly for Bosnia, that wasn’t the wake up call it should have been. Morissette, Buble and Arnett Canada rolled out the big guns ahead of the game, with the second of three World Cup opening ceremonies hitting all the right notes. There was Alanis Morissette’s bilingual national anthem, Michael Buble’s stunning rendition of Sam Cooke’s 1962 classic Bring It On Home To Me – even if some objected to him picking a song by an American artist – and Alessia Cara offered an upbeat performance of her hit song Wild Things. While others might have been tempted to get Ryan Reynolds in on the act, it was Will Arnett who represented the country’s talented television community, although the crowd ignored his calls to welcome all the flags of the 48 teams taking part – roundly booing when the stars and stripes of their southern neighbours appeared. Pants on fire Having already decided to take fans for a ride with ridiculously high ticket prices, Fifa now seem to think we’re all idiots. Already facing questions over a claimed near-capacity attendance of 44,985 in Guadalajara for South Korea’s game against the Czech Republic, the world governing body has doubled down and responded with what, in modern parlance, might be called gaslighting. Apparently, the banks of empty seats we all saw with our own eyes were an illusion and fans were just hiding on the concourse. An excuse that is occasionally believable during the Hong Kong Sevens, this time asks for a suspension of disbelief that borders on the incredulous. “Official attendance figures reflect the number of tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium footprint, rather than visual assessments of seating occupancy at any given moment during the match,” Fifa said. “Fifa works closely with stadium authorities and ticketing teams to ensure all figures are based on verified operational data. “Please note that, during last night’s match in Guadalajara, several ticketed fans could be seen standing in concourses rather than staying in their assigned seats throughout the match.” No Partey for Ghana Thomas Partey, who is facing trial in Britain on rape charges, will miss Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama after Canadian authorities denied him a visa, Fifa confirmed on Friday. The Villarreal midfielder, who previously played for Arsenal, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022. A trial has been set for next year, allowing the 32-year-old to represent Ghana at the World Cup, but he will not be involved in Wednesday’s match in Toronto. Canadian immigration chiefs said it was not possible to provide details on individual cases, adding that the safety of citizens was its priority and if officers “believe that an individual could pose a security risk, they may decide to deny them entry”. US authorities said they were aware of the pending court case but said “he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa”. – AFP

While you were sleeping, World Cup edition: Canada make history, but ban Ghana’s Partey

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Cyle Larin becomes just second Canadian to ever score at a World Cup. Fifa say fans on concourse reason for empty seats in Guadalajara

Larin’s historic strike

Cyle Larin becomes just second Canadian to ever score at a World Cup. Fifa say fans on concourse reason for empty seats in Guadalajara