Chiedozie Ogbene Secures Draw for Republic of Ireland Against Canada
Chiedozie Ogbene pounced to keep the Republic of Ireland’s momentum rolling, smashing in a second-half rebound to earn a 1-1 draw with World Cup co-hosts Canada in Montreal.
It was a friendly on paper. It did not feel like one.
Canada strike first through Irish misfortune
Jesse Marsch’s side, tuning up for a home World Cup they will help launch in just a few days’ time, struck first from a moment Ireland will want to forget.
In the 24th minute, Stephen Eustaquio swung in a corner from the right. The delivery caused just enough chaos. Jake O’Brien rose to clear but mistimed his header, diverting the ball into his own net. No Canadian touch, no debate. A clean own goal, and a harsh lesson in concentration.
Canada grew from it. They moved the ball with more authority, fed off the noise, and looked every inch a side preparing to host the world. Ireland, who will watch this summer’s tournament from home, had to dig in and ride it out.
They did.
Larin’s rash challenge opens the door
The game tilted after the break. Ireland stepped higher, pressed with more conviction, and began to ask questions of a Canadian back line that had enjoyed a relatively calm first half.
Then came the turning point.
Jamie McGrath darted into the box, and Cyle Larin – whose day had already been busy after signing a two-year deal with Southampton – got his timing all wrong. He clattered into McGrath, the contact clear, the decision inevitable. Penalty to Ireland.
Troy Parrott took responsibility. He went low, looking to drag his side level, but Maxime Crepeau guessed right and pushed the effort away. A huge save, the kind that usually flips a game for good.
Not this time.
The rebound dropped loose and Ogbene reacted faster than anyone in red. One stride, one swing, and the ball was hammered into the net in the 60th minute. Crepeau, the hero a second earlier, could do nothing.
Ireland had their equaliser. Their belief surged with it.
Ireland push, Crepeau stands firm
From there, the visitors smelled a statement win.
Their passing sharpened, their runs grew braver. Canada, who open the World Cup on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina before facing Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24, suddenly looked a touch vulnerable in transition.
Mason Melia almost punished them late on. Bursting through with a powerful run, he drove at goal with conviction, only to find Crepeau in his way again. The Orlando City goalkeeper, who missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after breaking his leg in the MLS Cup final, spread himself superbly to block what looked a likely winner.
Ireland’s bench roared at the chance. Canada’s bench exhaled in relief.
World Cup countdown for Marsch’s Canada
For Marsch, the draw offered both encouragement and warning. His side showed spells of control, found a goal from a set piece, and managed the game without their captain, Alphonso Davies, still sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained with Bayern Munich.
Yet the way Ireland grew into the contest, the way they forced errors and carved out late chances, will linger in the analysis room.
Ireland, out of the World Cup picture, leave Montreal with their run of positive results intact and a performance that hinted at more than just resilience.
Canada leave with questions to answer before the eyes of the world turn to Toronto on June 12.
