Toronto - Canada vs Chile International Friendly Recap
By Kevin Connolly
Graphic: Provectus Media (PM)
TORONTO, September 26, 2026 — The Voyageurs had set the stage, the national anthem rang out across BMO stadium, and an Alphonso Davies-less team Canada officially returned to home soil after the summer World Cup.
Nathan Saliba took the initial kick-off into Chilean territory and immediately gave possession to the visitors. Would the team be shell-shocked by Derek Cornelius’ dislocated hip suffered in training during the week? Would the large Chilean segment of the crowd be the 12th man and spoil the homecoming?
Canadian flags waved raucously and Les Rouges settled into a good rhythm. Ralph Priso, earning his 4th career international cap, and filling in at centre-back for Cornelius, looked up the left side of the pitch to see a bursting Jacob Shaffelburg. Shaffelburg, making his bid to earn trust back with Jesse Marsch and co, surged beyond the Chilean right back and played an early ball across the face of the Chile’s box - the English Championship’s top scorer, Cyle Larin alone at the back post, denied by a sprawling Lawrence Vigouroux. Vigouroux, club teammate of Canadian Stephen Eustáquio at Swansea City, made a fantastic initial save but could only guide the ball into the path of another Canadian in scintillating early-season form, Jonathan David. David, now of Atletico Madrid after this summer transfer from Juventus, comfortably dispatched from close range, and Canada had a deserved 1-0 lead at the just the 12th minute.
The first half continued with plenty of Canadian possession, some Vigouroux saves, and some brewing spiciness from both sides. In customary fashion, Toronto FC club captain and longtime Canadian international Richie Laryea began to get under the skin of multiple opposition players. Then, as Laryea jumped in front of a forward pass to Chilean winger, Lucas Cepeda, contact ensued and the Chilean let his emotions get the best of him. As Laryea won possession, Cepeda looked to hold up the Canadian and in doing so, flailed a boot that caught Laryea’s face and created a significant gash that left him bloodied. Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava wasted no time and quickly brandished a straight red, dismissing Cepeda at the 35th minute.
With Chile reduced to 10 men, Canada continued to press, the temperature continued to rise, and expectation grew for further Canadian celebrations, but the two sides went into the break with an unchanged scoreline, Canada leading 1-0.
The second half began with both sides unchanged and Canada looking for the elusive second goal. Just as both sides settled into second half play, Chile were further reduced with another red card. This time it was defender Gabriel Suazo, who picked up his second yellow card of the evening, leaving Chile with 9 players left on the pitch.
The chippiness continued amidst an otherwise uneventful second half of play, with plenty of changes from both sides. Substitutions gave important appearances to young Canadians Richard Chukwu (18-Toronto FC), Jovan Ivanisevic (21-FK Sarajevo), Jamie Knight-Lebel (21-Motherwell), and a farewell appearance for veteran Junior Hoilett. Hoilett entered the fray for the final 15 minutes in what is to be his final international appearance. A storied career that paved the way for many other Canadians in European football, Hoilett, 36, wraps up his Canadian career with a win on his 70th international cap.
Team Canada now shifts gears to Peru, who the side will meet in Montreal next Saturday, October 3rd. Kick-off at Stade Saputo will be at 2pm local time and would expect to see some changes amongst the starting XI.
Provectus Player of the Match - Jonathan David. The La Liga striker kept possession well, dazzled with some fantastic touches, flicks, and link-up play, and scored the all decisive marker to give Canada the victory back on home soil.