Chiedozie Ogbene Shines in Ireland's Draw Against Canada
Chiedozie Ogbene struck again for his country, this time in Montreal, to stretch the Republic of Ireland’s encouraging run with a 1-1 draw against World Cup co-hosts Canada.
On a humid night that felt like a dress rehearsal for the summer show, Ireland walked into a stadium buzzing for Jesse Marsch’s new-look side and refused to play the role of sparring partner.
Canada strike first through Irish misfortune
Canada’s opener came not from crafted brilliance but from a moment every defender dreads.
In the 24th minute, Stephen Eustaquio whipped in a corner and Jake O'Brien, backtracking towards his own goal, mistimed his header. Instead of clearing, he diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper and into the net. Canada celebrated; O'Brien stared at the turf. It was harsh, but Ireland were behind.
The goal energised the hosts. Canada, still without injured captain Alphonso Davies, pushed on with purpose, sensing an opportunity to underline their credentials before they launch the World Cup on home soil. Ireland, who will watch that tournament from afar after failing to qualify, had a choice: retreat or respond.
They chose the latter.
Ogbene pounces after Parrott denied
The turning point arrived just after the hour, born from a burst into the box and a clumsy challenge.
Jamie McGrath drove into the Canadian penalty area and Cyle Larin, fresh from signing a two-year deal with Southampton earlier in the day, mistimed his attempt to stop him. McGrath went down. The referee pointed to the spot.
Troy Parrott stepped up with the chance to level. His strike was firm but not clinical enough. Maxime Crepeau, the Orlando City goalkeeper who missed the 2022 World Cup with a broken leg suffered in the MLS Cup final, guessed right and pushed the ball away.
For a second, Canada exhaled.
Then Ogbene arrived.
Alert, aggressive, and alive to the rebound, he surged in and hammered the loose ball home in the 60th minute. No hesitation, no second touch. Ireland were level, and the away end roared its approval.
The goal shifted the mood. Canada’s control loosened. Ireland began to believe they could take more than a draw from a team about to walk onto the biggest stage.
Ireland push late, Canada look to June
The closing stages belonged to the visitors.
Mason Melia, full of running and intent, almost stole it late on. Charging through the Canadian defence, he bore down on goal, only for Crepeau to stand tall again and block the effort. The goalkeeper, desperate to make up for the World Cup he never played, refused to be beaten a second time.
Ireland’s momentum, their pressing and their willingness to attack, left a mark. For a side not heading to the tournament, they played like a team intent on proving they should be there.
Canada, for their part, will be relieved to escape without defeat and with more minutes in the legs. Marsch’s team now turns fully towards the real thing: the World Cup opener on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by group games against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.
Davies’ absence with a hamstring injury remains a cloud over their preparations, but this draw, carved out in front of their own fans against stubborn opposition, adds another layer of resilience.
Ireland leave Montreal with no ticket to the World Cup, but with something else: a growing sense that this “good run of results” is not a fluke, and that nights like this can be the foundation for whatever comes next.
