CF Montreal played with fire, but they managed not to get burned, as they narrowly beat Mexican club Pumas UNAM 4-2 after a penalty shootout, after their first match of the Leagues Cup group stage on Saturday night, in front of a sold-out Stade Saputo for this historic match.
Trailing by two goals, the visitors weighed on the accelerator by threading the needle twice late in the game. Those two goals were made by Gabriel Matías Fernández and Emanuel Montejano, who tied the game in stoppage time.
– Read also: Lionel Messi plays heroes in his first MLS match
The Montreal team has thus just beaten the fourth best team in the Liga MX, which is the best league in Mexico.
“We left a good impression, especially in the first half. I think we played very good football and the atmosphere today was exceptional. The fans were really involved in this game with a lot of emotions. Our collective performance was very positive and we have a lot of confidence for the future,” said CF Montreal head coach Hernan Losada after the game.
Hernan Losada’s men imposed their rhythm from the start of the clash, multiplying the chances of scoring.
They reaped the rewards of their efforts when Bryce Duke opened the scoring in the 22e minute of play. Duke accepted Ariel Lassiter’s pass to fire a precise shot into the top of the net that gave Pumas UNAM goalkeeper Gil Alcala no chance.
The Impact then doubled its lead before heading to the locker room. The sole representative of CF Montreal at the last Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game, Mathieu Choinière, went there with a precise shot on a free kick in the 43e minute of play.
The animosity was palpable during the evening and the players of the two teams exchanged a few pleasantries. There was also a skirmish involving members of both teams after Lassi Lappalainen scored the winning goal in the penalty shootout. Five yellow cards were awarded in total in the game, including three to CF Montreal.
The Bleu-Blanc-Noir had to manage without its captain, Samuel Piette, who was absent due to a virus.
The Quebec metropolitan team will resume action on Wednesday against DC United, which will be at Stade Saputo. This will be CF Montreal’s second and final matchup in the group stage.