Chiedozie Ogbene Rescues Ireland Against Canada in World Cup Warm-Up
Chiedozie Ogbene crashed Canada’s World Cup send-off party, and he needed only one rebound and a split second of composure to do it.
Ireland’s winger pounced in the 60th minute at a tense Montreal night, turning a saved penalty into a ruthless equalizer and forcing a 1-1 draw in Canada’s final warm-up before they head to the World Cup.
Canada strike first, with a slice of fortune
Jesse Marsch’s side had started with purpose, sharper and more direct than they were earlier in the week. The breakthrough, though, came wrapped in luck.
In the 24th minute, Stephen Eustáquio whipped in a corner with his usual venom. Bodies crowded the six-yard box, green shirts and red ones tangled together. Jake O’Brien got there first, but for all the wrong reasons. The Ireland defender, facing his own goal, diverted the ball past his keeper and into the net.
Canada didn’t care how it looked. They had the lead, and in a tune-up match with World Cup selection battles everywhere, that was enough to settle early nerves.
Ogbene punishes Larin’s rash moment
The game changed when Cyle Larin, Canada’s headline name of the day after signing a two-year deal with Southampton, lunged into a clumsy challenge on Jamie McGrath in the box. No real debate, no escape. Penalty to Ireland.
Troy Parrott stepped up. Maxime Crépeau guessed right.
The Canadian goalkeeper, who has finally claimed the No. 1 shirt after years in the shadows, flung himself to his right and punched the spot kick away. It should have been a defining moment in his battle-hardened story.
Instead, it became Ogbene’s.
The ball spilled loose, the Irish winger reacted faster than anyone in red, and he hammered the rebound home. One chance, one swing, 1-1.
The roar from the travelling Irish support cut through the Montreal air. Canada, suddenly, had a test on their hands.
Crépeau’s redemption arc stays on track
For Crépeau, every minute in goal carries extra weight.
He missed the 2022 World Cup after breaking his leg in the MLS Cup final with LAFC, a brutal twist that turned what should have been a career highlight into a personal low. Now he has the job outright, chosen ahead of Dayne St. Claire, and this match underlined why.
After the penalty rebound, he didn’t shrink. He steadied. He organized. And when Ireland almost stole it late, he stood tall again.
In the 85th minute, Mason Melia burst through, eyes up, smelling a famous winner. Crépeau read it early, surged off his line and smothered the chance, turning what could have been a damaging defeat into a manageable draw. He finished with two saves, but both carried significance.
Larin starts, Davies absent, questions remain
Larin’s name was on the team sheet from the start, hours after his move to Southampton was confirmed. He worked, he pressed, he linked play, but his night will be remembered for the penalty he conceded rather than anything he created.
Canada were again without their captain and star, Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich man continues to nurse a hamstring injury, and with no timeline for his return, every passing day tightens the knot in Canadian stomachs. His absence hung over the evening like a cloud.
At the back, Marsch handed a start to Luc de Fougerolles at centre back. Moïse Bombito, who had come off at halftime against Uzbekistan and was later seen icing his leg, remained out as he continues his recovery from a fractured tibia. De Fougerolles’ inclusion offered a glimpse of the depth Canada might need to lean on once the tournament begins.
World Cup next — ready or not
Canada arrived in Montreal on the back of a controlled 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in Edmonton. This, though, was a different kind of rehearsal: a reminder that one mistake, one rash tackle, one half-cleared rebound can flip a match.
The schedule ahead is unforgiving. Group B opens for Canada on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Then comes Qatar in Vancouver on June 18, followed by Switzerland on June 24.
The performance against Ireland won’t trigger alarm bells, but it won’t quiet every doubt either. The structure is there, the fight is there, the goalkeeper looks ready.
Now the question hangs over this squad as they leave their final friendly behind: when the World Cup lights come on in Toronto, who steps forward and who gets left chasing rebounds?
