Canada played to a nil-nil draw at home against Tunisia, closing out the March window with two draws.

In a game where Les Rouges struggled to break down the away side's backline, there were more negatives than positives.

Backup centre-backs leave a lot to be desired

The lack of familiarity, and at times quality, was evident from the centre-backs. Canada struggled to progress the ball cleanly out of the back, with misplaced passes and hesitation allowing Tunisia to step into pressing situations they otherwise wouldn’t have had. 

The group was also caught out on multiple occasions due to poor decision-making. One notable error by Waterman created a dangerous two-on-zero opportunity for Tunisia, but Canada was bailed out by an excellent recovery defending from Liam Millar, whose tracking run prevented what looked like a certain goal.

Liam Millar with a fantastic block to deny Tunisia on the counter 💪 #CanMNT pic.twitter.com/JwBG3lebbU

— TrueNorthFoot ⚽️🇨🇦 (@truenorthfoot) April 1, 2026

To their credit, the unit settled as the match progressed — particularly after Derek Cornelius entered the match. However, the performance highlighted a clear drop-off in chemistry and reliability beyond Canada’s preferred centre-back options, including Moïse Bombito, Cornelius, Luc de Fougerolles, and Alfie Jones — a concern that could be exposed against stronger opposition.

Tani's finishing still leaves a lot to be desired

For Tani Oluwaseyi, the performance was another reminder of both his promise and his current limitations at the number nine position.

His movement and athleticism were encouraging, as he consistently found pockets of space and positioned himself well in dangerous areas, but when the decisive moment arrived, the finishing touch just wasn’t there. He also suffered from a lack of composure, giving away a silly yellow in the 29th minute.

Whether it was a lack of composure or sharpness, the end product didn’t match the build-up. With just two goals in 15 international appearances, questions remain about his ability to consistently convert come the World Cup.

That said, context matters. Limited club minutes (15 minutes across his last four appearances with Villarreal) have likely impacted his rhythm. Still, with Canada in need of reliable goal scorers at the number nine position, players like Oluwaseyi must begin to capitalize on these opportunities.

Marcelo Flores: A constant threat

If there was a standout attacking spark on a rainy night, it was Marcelo Flores.

The 22-year-old looked dangerous every time he got on the ball. He was direct, fearless, and consistently probing, putting Tunisia’s defenders on the back foot and bringing a level of creativity and urgency that Canada lacked at times in the final third.

What makes his performance particularly significant is the selection dilemma it creates for Jesse Marsch. Flores is making a strong case to play in front of Alphonso Davies, particularly on the left side, heading into the World Cup.

At the same time, Ali Ahmed has also proven to be productive and dangerous in that role, setting up a compelling positional battle. Regardless of how Marsch chooses to line up, leaving Flores out entirely is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.

Simply put, he was Canada’s most dangerous player on the night.

Osorio making his case for the World Cup Squad

Veteran midfielder Jonathan Osorio delivered a composed and intelligent performance, strengthening his case for inclusion in Canada’s World Cup squad.

The Toronto FC man brought control and balance to the midfield, linking play efficiently, showcasing his dribbling, and maintaining possession during extended spells of dominance. His experience was evident in his positioning, often providing a reliable outlet under pressure.

While he may not offer the same physical and set-piece upside as some of Canada’s younger midfield options, his leadership, consistency and tactical awareness remain valuable assets, particularly in tournament settings like the World Cup, where composure is critical.

Goalkeeper decision still up in the air?

Maxime Crépeau had a relatively quiet night, as Tunisia managed just two shots on target, neither of which truly tested the Canadian shot-stopper.

While Jesse Marsch and fans alike were hoping for more clarity in Canada’s number one goalkeeper position during this March window ahead of the World Cup, the team’s strong defensive performance limited the opportunities for Crépeau to make a definitive statement.

It’s also worth noting that Dayne St. Clair delivered a relatively composed and mistake-free performance against Iceland on Saturday. The two goals he conceded were difficult to deal with and offered little chance for any goalkeeper to intervene.

As a result, the battle for Canada’s starting goalkeeper role remains wide open with just over 70 days to go until kickoff against Bosnia at BMO Field.