VANCOUVER — Canada opened this World Cup without its two best players.

Alphonso Davies was injured. But Jonathan David went missing during Canada’s 1-1 draw Friday in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As Thursday’s critical game here against Qatar approaches, for what veteran midfielder Stephen Eustaquio agreed (more or less) will be one of the biggest moments in Canadian soccer history, many of the post-practice questions on Tuesday were about Davies.

But the more immediate question is about David and, if Canada’s all-time leading international scorer starts on Thursday, how much leash he will get from head coach Jesse Marsch after being substituted 61 minutes into Friday’s game.

The second-half insertion of imposing, powerful forwards Promise David and Cyle Larin, backed by incoming attacking wingers Ali Ahmed and Jacob Shaffelburg, was a game-changer for Canada. Larin, who replaced Tani Oluwaseyi in the 76th minute after Promise replaced Jonathan in the swap of Davids, scored the historic tying goal as Canada earned its first World Cup point after losing all three of its group-stage games in the 2022 and 1986 tournaments.

After Larin was a surprising non-starter against Bosnia, it’s difficult to imagine he won’t be part of the 11-man lineup against Qatar. But what about Jonathan David?

When the 26-year-old meekly side-footed a 14-yard shot straight at Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj in the 17th minute on Friday, Marsch convulsed in frustration and looked during his involuntary touchline dance like a coach as exasperated with his player as he was with his player’s miss.

Beyond David's........

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