Ireland Extends Unbeaten Streak with Draw Against Canada

Chiedozie Ogbene pounced to extend the Republic of Ireland’s impressive unbeaten streak, smashing home a rebound in Montreal to earn a 1-1 draw against World Cup co-hosts Canada.

It was a friendly only in name. Canada, days away from stepping onto the global stage, played with the urgency of a side trying to sharpen every edge. Ireland, denied a ticket to this summer’s tournament, treated it like a point to prove.

Canada strike first – with Irish help

The breakthrough came on 24 minutes and it was as scruffy as it was costly for Ireland. Stephen Eustaquio swung in a corner, Ireland hesitated, and Jake O'Brien got it all wrong. The defender, trying to deal with a failed clearance, could only glance a header into his own net.

Canada didn’t care how it went in. They had the lead, the crowd at their backs and a rhythm building under Jesse Marsch, the former Leeds boss now tasked with guiding a new era.

Ireland, though, did not fold. They settled, tightened the lines and began to punch back. The visitors grew into the game, pressing higher, forcing Canada to play longer and more hurried from the back.

Larin’s rash challenge opens the door

The turning point arrived after the interval. Cyle Larin, fresh from signing a two-year deal with Southampton earlier in the day, got himself on the wrong side of Jamie McGrath in the box. He lunged, mistimed it, and McGrath went down. Penalty.

Troy Parrott took responsibility. He went low, looking to drag Ireland level, but Maxime Crepeau guessed right and pushed the effort away.

The ball, though, didn’t travel far. Ogbene reacted quicker than anyone, thundering the rebound into the net on 60 minutes. One-all, and suddenly it was Ireland who carried the swagger.

Crepeau stands tall, again

Crepeau’s night did not end with that penalty save. The Orlando City goalkeeper, who missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after breaking his leg in the MLS Cup final, played like a man intent on making up for lost time.

As the game stretched, Ireland sensed a statement win. Mason Melia charged through late on, bursting into space with the goal in his sights. Crepeau read it, held his ground and shut the door, preserving the draw and underlining his importance to this Canadian side.

Canada look ahead, Ireland keep building

For Canada, there were positives and warning signs. They showed flashes of sharp combination play, pressed with energy and managed the game better in spells, but let control slip once Ireland grew bolder.

They open their World Cup campaign on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina, then face Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24. All of that, for now, without captain Alphonso Davies, still nursing a hamstring injury picked up with Bayern Munich.

Ireland leave Montreal without a win but with their momentum intact. They matched a World Cup host, came from behind, and nearly stole it at the death.

For a team watching the tournament from the outside, nights like this matter. The results keep coming. The question now is how far this resilience can carry them when the games start to count again.