CF Montréal erased a two-goal deficit in regulation time.
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CF Montréal’s season came to a heartbreaking end with a 2-2 (5-4) penalty shootout loss to Atlanta United at Stade Saputo on Tuesday.
Brooks Lennon and Stian Gregersen scored for Atlanta, while Josef Martinez registered a brace for Montreal in their first playoff game since 2022.
Montreal took control of the game early, dominating possession and working to break down a resolute Atlanta defence until the 30 minute-mark when the visiting side opened the scoring against the run of play.
Taking advantage of a marking error, Lennon got on the end of a perfectly delivered cross from Pedro Amador and directed the ball into the bottom corner with his head. Two minutes later, Lennon found himself in the exact same position and with a chance to double Atlanta’s lead, but sent the shot high and wide.
Gregersen cemented Atlanta’s lead in the 44th minute through another defensive breakdown. With a set piece coming from the left-side, the Norwegian international’s header sent United to the locker room with a 2-0 lead.
Montreal opened the first half with the same aggression, needing two goals to keep their season alive. The team found success in creating half-chances, but couldn’t find enough danger to trouble Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan until the 63rd minute.
Substitute Tome Pearce sent in a dangerous cross and Guzan was unable to handle the ball. He spilled it to a waiting Martinez who put it in to cut Montreal’s deficit to 2-1.
Montreal threw everything forward in search of an equalizer and won a penalty in the 89th minute. Under pressure, Martinez stepped up and expertly dispatched a shot into the top right corner.
With no winner after 90 minutes, the game went to a shootout.
For Montreal, Martinez scored, Pearce was stopped, Nathan Saliba scored, Gabriele Corbo scored and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint scored.
For Atlanta, Dax McCarty, Daniel Rios, Aleksey Mranchuk, Derrick Williams and Saba Lobjanidze all scored.
Atlanta will now turn its attention to Lionel Messi and league-leading Inter Miami. Game 1 of the best-of-three series will take place on Friday at Chase Stadium in Miami.