Canada's Cyle Larin proves all the cliches true as Canadian World Cup hero

Whether someone shared this message with or Cyle Larin or not, it's the cliche that everyone would've applied to the benched Canadian striker at the World Cup: Stay ready.

Larin would've been fair to hold disappointment in not being named in the Canada starting 11. He's scored the second-most goals in the history of their national team, yet in a World Cup opener in Toronto, Larin wasn't chosen ahead of Tani Oluwaseyi.

Maybe there was some moping in the first half for Larin. We'll never know.

By the time he got onto the pitch as a second-half substitute, Canada trailed Bosnia and Herzegovina by a goal to nil. Larin's mandate was clear.

Whatever had come before didn't matter. Canada needed a goal. It would have to come from Larin.

He made a dangerous early run, not quite getting to the ball before the Bosnia keeper.

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A few minutes later, Larin struck.

He found himself a spot along the back of Bosnia's defensive line, just onside, and spun onto a pass into space.

Larin's first firm touch of the match found the back of the net.

Pandemonium in Toronto.

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The scope of the goal can hardly be overstated.

Canada had played six World Cup matches before Friday and lost all six.

This was their first point at a World Cup, and in a group where they'd be expected to beat Qatar (and will have to contend with Switzerland), Canada now has a clear path to the knockout stages.

Larin has been a talented striker for a long time, but sometimes, being a soccer forward from Canada means doubts and uncertainties from those around the world of football.

The doubts may have crept into Larin's own head when he wasn't named to this historic lineup for a home World Cup game for Canada.

But whatever doubters there were soon were proven irrelevant.

All it takes is one moment, and Larin found himself in a spot to be a hero for Canada.

He didn't miss. Larin stayed ready, and the entire nation of Canada will be grateful for that.

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