TORONTO – In Canada’s final match in Toronto before returning to kick off the biggest tournament in the country’s history, the World Cup cohosts dominated Tunisia but could not score in a 0-0 friendly draw.

Lightning and heavy rain caused kickoff to be delayed by 90 minutes. Once the game began, the World Cup-bound Tunisians provided a decent test. The African nation earned more points in World Cup qualification (28) than any other CAF team. Yet Canada still looked fluid in the attack, looking less like a team focused solely on pressing and more of a team that could play in possession come the World Cup. The hosts dominated the pace of play and shots on target and ended up being the better of the two sides, except on the scoreboard. The performance should still bolster confidence with a June 12 tournament opener against newly qualified Bosnia and Herzegovina – a penalty shootout winner over Italy – less than three months away.

Here are the key points from Canada’s draw against Tunisia.

Flores’ presence could change Canada’s World Cup tactics

In just his second Canada appearance and first start, wiry midfielder Marcelo Flores looked remarkably comfortable having the attack flow through him. Flores has always had the qualities of an old-school No. 10, the kind of player who can pull the strings in the final third. But it can sometimes take players time to find their footing at the international level. Not Flores.

The Canadian-Mexican dual national constantly found space on both flanks and showcased dribbling prowess Canada lacked without Alphonso Davies and Tajon Buchanan in the lineup. Crucially, Flores found his teammates with quick passes in a way he did not in his debut. After the first half, he led all players with 44 touches.

There was a consistent fearlessness in the way he played that should assuage any of Jesse Marsch’s fears over who can play on the right side if Buchanan is unavailable.

Flores’ breakout could end up changing the way Canada plays for stretches at the World Cup for the better. When dominating possession, Canada has struggled to make strong final passes. With Flores on Tuesday, that wasn’t the case. Outside of an error here and there, Canada looked more comfortable than it has in months in possession.

It’s now worth wondering whether Flores’ performance could lead to a surprise start against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Canada will likely have the ball more than it would have against Italy, and Flores could help Canada make the most of it.

Where are Canada’s goals?

By the end of the match, Canada’s forward duo was Daniel Jebbison and Jacen Russell-Rowe. Combined national team appearances: 16. Combined goals? One.

The fact that Marsch wanted to substitute Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi, Canada’s presumed World Cup starting forwards, suggests he is still looking for different combinations up top. And he has good reason to. For the fourth time in Canada’s last six matches, Canada did not score. That’s a problem.

There were chances, no doubt. Canada ended with 14 shots and six on target. But David and Oluwaseyi did not have their most effective nights in a Canada shirt. And that served as another reminder: for Canada to finally earn a first World Cup win in team history, it’s going to need more sharpness and conversion from the forwards. There’s an argument to be made that center back Moïse Bombito is Canada’s most important player. But when you see how much Canada’s approach can change when David is on his game, the argument that the Juventus forward is just as important gets stronger.

Jonathan David remains Canada’s most potent forward option leading into the World Cup (Geoff Robins / AFP / Getty Images)

Canada’s center back crisis worsens

In his first start in an official international window, Ralph Priso had moments of intelligent positioning and strength amid a center back injury crisis. Then, 26 minutes into that first start, Priso himself pulled up with an injury and had to be substituted off.

Kamal Miller, who was at fault for Iceland’s first goal during Saturday’s 2-2 friendly draw, entered as a substitute. As Canada then returned to the center back pairing of Miller and Joel Waterman, it was exposed in the back. Tunisia found all kinds of space around and behind the pair, including an incredible chance that was only thwarted thanks to Liam Millar’s speedy recovery.

The takeaway here is that Canada has to be doing everything in its power to make sure Bombito and Alfie Jones are fully recovered from the injuries that kept them out March games.  If Marsch wants to play a high line in attack – which he should – Canada must enter the World Cup with its center backs healthy and up to speed on the team’s tactical demands. Derek Cornelius and Luc de Fougerolles have to get as much playing time for their club sides as possible. Because for as potent as Canada’s attack looked at times, its ability to defend Tunisia in transition was lacking. Better teams could punish a weakened center back duo in the World Cup.