World Cup co-hosts Canada needed second-half goals from substitutes Jonathan Osorio and Jayden Nelson to earn an unconvincing 2-0 friendly win over Uzbekistan in Edmonton.

Alphonso Davies watched on from the sidelines in his hometown after linking up with Jesse Marsch's squad, though he did not play any part and remains doubtful for their Group B opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina due to a hamstring issue. 

Both teams managed just one shot on target apiece in a quiet first half, though Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov had the best chances to open the scoring. 

Shomurodov raced clear in the seventh minute but miscued when attempting to lob Maxime Crepeau, missing wide to the left of the goal, while another clear opening saw him draw a full-stretch save from the Canada goalkeeper. 

But Canada took charge after making a host of half-time changes, going ahead just before the hour when Osorio's strike beat Abduvokhid Ne'matov for power, after fellow substitute Tani Oluwaseyi drove to the edge of the area. 

Promise David, making his return from injury, had a powerful near-post finish chalked off for offside, while Oluwaseyi saw an effort smothered by Abduvokhid Ne'matov.

And Canada did get their clinching goal one minute into stoppage time, with Oluwaseyi's well-timed pass releasing Nelson to the outside, allowing the Austin FC man to open up his body and roll his finish into the far corner.

Data Debrief: Substitutes get the job done for Canada

Marsch included the likes of Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan in his starting lineup, but the hosts struggled to get going in the first half.

Canada only tallied three shots and 0.14 expected goals (xG) in the opening period, compared to seven attempts and 0.58 xG after the interval.

All three players with a goal involvement – Osorio, Nelson and Oluwaseyi – came off the bench, and the latter led all players on the pitch for shots (four) and created the second-most chances (two, after Jonathan David's three).