Canada surrendered a first-half lead and played to a disappointing 1-1 draw against lower-ranked Ireland in its final tune-up before the FIFA World Cup on Friday night.
Ireland’s own goal put No. 30 Canada ahead 1-0 in the 23rd minute of a one-sided first half.
Chiedozie Ogbene replied early in the second half by converting a rebound off a saved penalty for No. 59 Ireland, which last qualified for the World Cup in 2002.
Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau prevented the visitors from taking a lead with a point-blank, diving save on Mason Melia in the 83rd minute before a sellout crowd of 19,619 red-clad fans — and a section of Irish green — at Stade Saputo.
The tournament co-hosts open the World Cup against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto before heading to Vancouver for group-stage matches against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
After Canada dominated the first half, the tide turned in the second when Ireland was awarded a penalty after Canada striker Cyle Larin caught Jamie McGrath with a high kick in the 57th minute.
Crépeau dived to his left to stop Troy Parrott’s attempt as the crowd briefly erupted before Ogbene sent the rebound into the net.
Larin almost made amends with a chance in the 70th minute, but Ireland keeper Mark Travers stretched out his right leg to stop the sharp-angled shot.
The Canadian men continued pressing for an equalizer but the best chance came from Melia, who couldn’t solve Crépeau despite finding himself all alone in the box.
Canada opened the scoring off a set piece thanks to an own goal from Ireland defender Jake O’Brien.
Winger Liam Millar drew a corner kick after a timely interception before Stephen Eustaquio floated a ball into the six-yard box that deflected off a pair of visiting players and crossed the goal line.
Canada drove the play in the first half, holding 67 per cent possession as Ireland waited for opportunities on the counterattack, and led 9-1 in shot attempts (1-0 on target).
Millar was particularly dangerous down the left wing, cutting inside for multiple attempts that never made it on net.
Ireland’s only chance came in the ninth minute after Canada defender Derek Cornelius turned the ball over. Dawson Devoy slipped a shot past Crépeau but Cornelius recovered to clear the ball from near the goal line.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch made one change to his starting 11 from Monday’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in Edmonton, inserting Luc de Fougerolles for Moïse Bombito at centre back.
Bombito stayed on the bench as his recovery from a fractured tibia continues. The 26-year-old central defender from Montreal played just 30 minutes against Uzbekistan on Monday and was seen icing his leg after being subbed off.
A key cog in Canada’s back line, Bombito was making his first appearance after a 239-day layoff.
Crépeau, a CF Montréal academy product, started in goal and shed tears during “O Canada” a day after Marsch named him Canada’s No. 1 goalkeeper for the global showcase.
Larin lined up at striker next to Juventus forward Jonathan David.
Eustaquio wore the captain’s armband with Alphonso Davies still working his way back from a hamstring ailment. The star wingback is one of several Canadian players recovering from injury on the 26-man roster.
Marsch said Thursday that Canada would be patient with Bombito, who plays for France’s OGC Nice at club level.
“We’re going step by step. He had a bit of a reaction after the game in Uzbekistan, so it’s taking a little bit more time,” Marsch said. “He’s a guy that we’re giving every opportunity to rebound from this and show that he can be ready to play, and we haven’t even started talking about secondary options.”
Marsch also said he would decide who replaces injured midfielder Marcelo Flores (torn ACL) after Friday’s exhibition.