Ogbene's Late Equalizer Keeps Ireland's Momentum Against Canada
Chiedozie Ogbene pounced to keep the Republic of Ireland’s momentum rolling, smashing home a rebound in Montreal to earn a 1-1 draw against World Cup co-hosts Canada.
It was a friendly in name only. This had the edge, noise and nervous energy of a side about to walk into a home World Cup and another determined not to drift into the summer quietly.
O'Brien's nightmare moment
Canada struck first, and Ireland did it to themselves.
On 24 minutes, Stephen Eustaquio whipped in a corner from the right. The delivery caused chaos, Jake O'Brien rose to clear, and instead glanced his header into his own net. A defender’s worst fear, played out in slow motion. Canada celebrated, Ireland stared at the turf.
The goal settled Jesse Marsch’s side. They pressed high, snapped into challenges and tried to pin Ireland back, even without injured captain Alphonso Davies, still sidelined by a hamstring problem from his Bayern Munich duties. For long spells in that first half, the hosts looked exactly what they are: a team gearing up to launch a World Cup on home soil.
Ireland, who will watch that tournament from afar after failing to qualify, had to absorb it. They did, then slowly began to play.
Larin’s rash tackle, Ogbene’s ruthless finish
The game turned after the break.
Jamie McGrath darted into the box, and Cyle Larin – fresh from signing a two-year deal with Southampton earlier in the day – mistimed his challenge badly. McGrath went down. Penalty.
Troy Parrott stepped up, eyeing his moment. Maxime Crepeau had other ideas. The Canada goalkeeper guessed right and beat away the spot-kick, a strong right hand preserving the lead and sparking a roar around the stadium.
The noise barely had time to settle.
Ogbene reacted first, alive to the loose ball while others froze. He crashed the rebound high into the net on 60 minutes, a ruthless finish that dragged Ireland level and punctured the home crowd’s growing confidence.
The pressure had flipped. Canada, who had been in control, suddenly looked vulnerable.
Crepeau stands tall, again
Ireland sensed it and went after a winner.
Their play grew braver, passes zipped through midfield, and substitutes brought fresh legs and intent. Mason Melia, charging through late on, almost completed the turnaround. He burst clear, head down, only to meet Crepeau in full command once more. The Orlando City keeper, who missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after breaking his leg in the MLS Cup final, spread himself and blocked, preserving the draw.
For him, these nights matter. For Canada, they matter even more.
They open the World Cup on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina, then face Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24. Performances now bleed directly into the mood of a nation waiting for its tournament to start.
Ireland leave without a win but with something just as valuable: another result against a World Cup side, another sign that this team refuses to drift, even when the biggest stage is out of reach.
Canada walk away reminded of two truths: they can unsettle good teams, and without Davies, they still have questions to answer before the world arrives on their doorstep.
