Canada plays Ireland to 1-1 draw in final tune-up before FIFA World Cup

Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (16) makes a save on Republic of Ireland's Seamus Coleman (2) during second half International friendly soccer action in Montreal on June 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

MONTREAL — Maxime Crépeau shed tears during “O Canada” a day after earning the nod as the country’s No. 1 goalkeeper for the FIFA World Cup.

The 32-year-old from Candiac, Que., then showed why he’s the man for the job in a stellar performance before his hometown fans Friday night at Stade Saputo.

Despite being the better side most the evening, No. 30 Canada surrendered a first-half lead and played to a disappointing 1-1 draw against lower-ranked Ireland in its final tune-up before the global showcase.

The result could have been worse if not for Crépeau.

“He’s our number one,” midfielder Ismaël Koné said. “It’s not for nothing.”

Canada opens the World Cup against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto before heading to Vancouver for group-stage matches against Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24.

Crépeau — named the starting keeper Thursday to settle a years-long battle with Dayne St. Clair — prevented Ireland from taking a lead with a diving save on a point-blank shot by Mason Melia in the 83rd minute.

Melia received the ball alone on the edge of the six-yard box after Canadian wingback Niko Sigur failed to block a cross.

What looked like a surefire goal instead became a highlight-reel save as Crépeau dived left to deny the Irish forward, lighting up a boisterous sellout crowd of 19,619 red-clad fans — and disappointing a section of Irish green.

“He looked really good and sharp the whole game, was the last defender in a really good way,” said Marsch, who’d called the No. 1 goalkeeper decision the toughest of his coaching career. “And what a great save. What an incredible save.

“Yeah, we know we can count on Max.”

Crépeau also leapt to his left to stop Troy Parrott’s penalty attempt in the second half before Chiedozie Ogbene sent the rebound into the net for No. 59 Ireland, which last qualified for the World Cup in 2002.

Canada striker Cyle Larin caught Jamie McGrath with a high kick in the 57th minute to concede the penalty, turning the tide after the Canadian men dominated the first half.

Larin almost made amends with a chance in the 70th minute, but Ireland keeper Mark Travers stretched out his right leg to stop the sharp-angled shot.

The Canadian men continued pressing for an equalizer without generating many quality opportunities while Ireland made dangerous runs in behind Canada’s back line against some tired legs.

“When we get tired, then it’s just tougher,” defender Luc de Fougerolles said. “First 60 minutes, they didn’t really have anything, they didn’t get in our half much. And then you saw as we got a bit tired, the pressure was a bit less, then they started to get behind a bit more.

“We’ll definitely analyze and we’ll get ready for Bosnia.”

Canada only scored thanks to an own goal from Ireland defender Jake O’Brien in the 23rd minute of a one-sided first half.

Winger Liam Millar drew a corner kick after a timely interception before Stephen Eustaquio floated a ball into the box that deflected off a pair of visiting players and crossed the goal line.

Canada drove the play in the first half, holding 67 per cent possession as Ireland waited for opportunities on the counterattack, and led 9-1 in shot attempts (1-0 on target).

But the 1-0 lead wasn’t separation enough.

“We were very much in control of this match, and we just lacked a little bit of quality in the final actions, but I believe that will come,” Marsch said of a Canadian team that has struggled to score in bunches in the past several months.

“But I’m going to be positive, guys. I’m not here to take a bunch of negative questions and if you ask me negative questions, then I’ll just move on to the next one. This group is really strong. This group is really committed. They’re fit, they’re ready to push.

“We’ve got to score some goals, but we will.”

Marsch made one change to his starting 11 from Monday’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in Edmonton, inserting De Fougerolles for Moïse Bombito at centre back.

Bombito stayed on the bench as his recovery from a fractured tibia continues. The 26-year-old central defender from Montreal played just 30 minutes against Uzbekistan on Monday and was seen icing his leg after being subbed off.

Eustaquio wore the captain’s armband with Alphonso Davies still working his way back from a hamstring ailment. The star wingback is one of several Canadian players recovering from injury on the 26-man roster.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press