Canada and Ireland Draw in World Cup Send-Off Match

Chiedozie Ogbene crashed Canada’s World Cup send-off party with a poacher’s finish, as Ireland battled back to claim a 1-1 draw in Montreal on Friday night.

This was supposed to be Canada’s final clean rehearsal before the real thing. Instead, it turned into a reminder that on the biggest stages, loose moments get punished.

Canada strike first, with a slice of luck

Jesse Marsch’s side grabbed the lead in the 24th minute, and it came from the sort of goal defenders dread seeing on replay.

Stephen Eustáquio whipped in a corner, dangerous but not devastating. Jake O’Brien, stationed in front of his own goal, got the final touch and diverted the ball past his goalkeeper for an own goal. Canada celebrated, Ireland looked stunned, and for a while the night seemed to be going to script for the World Cup-bound hosts.

Canada, coming off a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in Edmonton earlier in the week, moved the ball with confidence, even without injured captain Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich star remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, and there is still no timeline for his return. His absence hung over the evening, a quiet question mark over Canada’s World Cup prospects.

At the back, Marsch handed a start to Luc de Fougerolles in central defence, with Moïse Bombito sitting out after coming off at halftime against Uzbekistan and later seen icing his leg. Bombito is still working his way back from a fractured tibia, and Canada chose caution.

Ogbene pounces after penalty drama

Ireland, who failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup, refused to fade. They grew into the game, pressed higher, and began asking questions of Canada’s back line.

The pressure finally told after the break.

Cyle Larin, starting just hours after signing a two-year deal with Southampton, got his timing all wrong in the box with a rash challenge on Jamie McGrath. The referee pointed to the spot. A needless risk, and Ireland seized it.

Troy Parrott stepped up and struck his penalty firmly, but Maxime Crépeau guessed right and punched it away, a big-save moment for a goalkeeper who has waited years for this stage. The ball didn’t travel far enough. Ogbene reacted quicker than anyone, crashing in the rebound to level the match in the 60th minute.

One swing of a boot, and Canada’s comfortable evening turned into a contest.

Crépeau’s redemption arc continues

For Crépeau, the night carried extra weight. He has been handed the No. 1 role for the World Cup ahead of Dayne St. Claire, a decision rooted in form, experience, and resilience.

He missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after breaking his leg while playing for LAFC in the MLS Cup final, a brutal twist that cut him out of the biggest tournament of his life. This time, he will be there from the start.

His save on Parrott’s penalty underlined why he has won the job. His late intervention kept the result intact.

With five minutes of normal time left, Ireland nearly stole it. Mason Melia burst through, eyes up, sensing a famous winner. Crépeau stood his ground and shut the door, reading the angle and smothering the chance. It was only his second save of the night, but both mattered.

Questions linger as World Cup looms

Canada leave Montreal with a draw, not a disaster, but not the statement they might have wanted in their final warm-up. The own goal, the conceded penalty, and the inability to turn first-half control into a second goal will give Marsch and his staff plenty to dissect.

They now pivot from preparation to reality.

Canada open their World Cup campaign on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B, then travel to Vancouver for meetings with Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24. The schedule is unforgiving, the margins thin.

Ireland, watching the tournament from afar, played with the freedom of a side with nothing to lose and nearly left with everything.

Canada, on the other hand, walk into a home World Cup knowing that nights like this — one mistake, one rebound, one missed chance — can decide a tournament.