Canada 2 Iceland 2: Will defensive errors shape squad? Is Larin back? Is David the most important player?

Canada's forward Jonathan David scored two penalties to earn the draw Geoff Robins/Getty

Canada battled back to a 2-2 draw against Iceland in a hard-fought game at BMO Field in Toronto. Having gone two goals down in the first half, with both Icelandic goals coming from Orri Oskarsson after Canadian defensive errors, Jesse Marsch’s side won two penalties in the second half, both of which were converted by Jonathan David.

A combination of fitness issues and injury, plus the need to take a look at the range of options available to him, meant Marsch fielded a side with only five or six players expected to start at the World Cup final. And against a stubborn Icelandic team, Canada struggled to find their rhythm until deeper into the second half.

The game was only nine minutes in when Canada fell behind. Central-defender Kamal Miller got to the ball first as Iceland looked to counter, but severely underhit a backpass towards his own goal, allowing Oskarsson to hare after it. The Iceland forward, 21, finished coolly past Dayne St. Clair.

Just 12 minutes later, and it was two, with Oskarsson again on the scoresheet. Niko Sigur lost out in a contest for the ball with Mikael Ellertsson, and the Iceland left-back fed the ball into the Real Sociedad striker, who had run into space between the Canadian central defenders, giving him time to smash the ball home.

Canada had chances to pull a goal back either side of the break, and in the 64th minute, made the breakthrough. The impressive Tajon Buchanan won a penalty when he was clipped from behind by Ellertsson. David converted emphatically.

Marsch made a raft of changes in the second half, including the introduction of Marcelo Flores, who recently chose to represent Canada instead of Mexico. He was an assured presence on the ball and deserves more minutes in future games.

Buchanan was Canada’s best player, electric on the ball, forcing Iceland onto the back foot. But then in the game’s closing minutes, he flung out an elbow and received a straight red card.

Josh Kloke analyses the key talking points in Toronto.

David is essential… but so is Bombito

Potentially half of Canada’s likely starting XI at the World Cup did not start against Iceland. Considering how wildly different Canada looked, it was easy to be reminded of who their most important players are: Jonathan David and Moise Bombito.

David was quietly effective and dynamic in Canada’s build-up, before calmly firing home two goals from the penalty spot. Canada are a team that can struggle to score, but they might not have that problem if David is as effective this summer as he was against Iceland. His mentality and creativity are part of what make him one of Marsch’s most-used players — and it also might make him a household name in Canada this summer.

And Bombito? He is still recovering from a broken leg, and while he is in Canada’s camp as a training player, Bombito will not play. His absence was glaring. Canada lacked speed, power and athleticism in the back and would have been in a far better position to prevent their two goals against had Bombito been on the pitch.

So while the draw against Iceland might seem like a head-scratcher, it should not be seen as a complete World Cup preview for Canada.

Is Cyle Larin back?

Marsch has been relentlessly pumping Cyle Larin’s tires throughout this week. And it’s deserved, based on club form: since a winter loan move to Southampton, the veteran forward is rounding into form. Larin’s two goals and one assist in his last four Championship matches are part of what propelled him to a starting spot against Iceland over Tani Oluwaseyi.

While Larin’s stock dropped throughout 2025, his performance against Iceland was a reminder of why he’s still valued by Marsch. Larin’s positioning was excellent. He created chances and showed off technical quality in a Canadian team desperately in need.

Yet it was how well Larin read David — a player who has the freedom to move at will under Marsch — that became one of the most notable takeaways from Canada’s first half against Iceland. While the partnership did not result in a goal — Larin was substituted off in the 63rd minute to make way for Daniel Jebbison — the synergy between him and David should not be discounted.

Will centre-back errors impact Marsch’s squad selection?

Everything that could have gone wrong for Canada’s new centre-back pairing of Joel Waterman and Kamal Miller in the first half did. And with less than three months to go before the World Cup, the first half illustrated just how vital the injured Bombito is to Canada’s defensive hopes.

Canada were too casual playing the ball when Miller was caught flat-footed just inside Iceland’s half, nine minutes in. Miller was a 2022 World Cup starter but has since lost his place. And Miller’s lack of pace and poor-decision making hurt Canada as he played a questionable ball back into his own half that led to Iceland’s opener.

And 11 minutes later, Oskarsson caught another break: Sigur did not win a duel and the Iceland forward found himself with too much space between Waterman and Miller. Questionably, neither closed down on Oskarsson, and for the first time in Marsch’s tenure in Canada, they gave up two goals in the first half.

It’s worth noting that Waterman and Miller are at least fifth and sixth on Canada’s centre-back depth chart. Canada’s starting line-up was full of players Marsch wanted to get a look at before making final World Cup squad decisions. Marsch knows how razor-thin the margins are in a World Cup.

While Waterman and Miller likely would not have played in a high-pressure situation this summer, their errors at the back showcased one element of what these March friendlies are for: building Marsch’s confidence in players… or losing it.

Canada allowed just one goal over their past six matches. They have become a defensively stout squad. Given that precedent, it feels like the egregious errors from their centre-backs could linger into May, when decisions on World Cup squads must be made.

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