You’d be hard-pressed to find a match with as much edge-of-your-seat action as Toronto FC and CF Montréal provided in just the first half Sunday. Two early goals in two minutes from Toronto set the tone for the match before Montréal followed with two goals of its own in two minutes. A Kai Kamara goal just before halftime completed the comeback, and Alistair Johnston sealed the 4-3 win before the hour mark.
After falling behind early, two goals in two minutes drew Montréal back level. A follow-up opportunity was finished from close range by Kamal Miller. Just 125 seconds later, Đorđe Mihailović hammered a shot from long-range past Toronto goalkeeper Alex Bono.
Quick reaction + quick response from Kamal Miller & @cfmontreal!
What a game so far. pic.twitter.com/ZDNaqyCGzR— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 5, 2022
Mihailovic magic. ✨
The Canadian Classique is delivering and then some. pic.twitter.com/WvIipJ0fYo— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 5, 2022
Just before halftime, Kamara showed why he’s the third top-scorer in MLS history with a brilliant solo goal to put Montréal ahead.
2-0 DOWN TO 3-2 UP.@cfmontreal have turned this game on its head. pic.twitter.com/8EamCCsiXY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 5, 2022
A stunning effort after trailing so early was rewarded yet again when Alistair Johnston sent a header across goal and into the side netting for Montréal’s fourth.
That's FOUR unanswered goals for Montreal, this one coming off great work from @_a_johnston & @keikamara! pic.twitter.com/c77dHp3VP7— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 5, 2022
It could have been even worse as Victor Wanyama missed a sitter in the 29th minute. The Kenyan midfielder found himself with acres of space on a rebound and somehow headed his effort just over the painfully empty goal. While Montréal didn’t pay for his mistake in the end, Wanyama will definitely want that one back.
I don't know how Wanyama missed this. pic.twitter.com/K52LhyQuA4
— Faizal Khamisa (@SNFaizalKhamisa) September 5, 2022
Toronto looked all out of sorts despite starting the game as brilliantly as it did. Federico Bernardeschi scored a penalty before turning provider for Lorenzo Insigne on what was a brilliant finish. Packing it in defensively proved to be a poor decision and any attack going forward seemed to be lacking the final pass.
Lorenzo Insigne with his fifth goal in MLS makes it 2-0 early!
Two quick goals in the opening seven minutes. #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/IEyXnf3s3V— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 4, 2022
Insigne added his second to give Toronto a glimmer of hope with just over a minute left in stoppage time, which Montréal comfortably saw out.
That's one back for @TorontoFC...
Insigne cuts the lead to 4-3. pic.twitter.com/s2BlNGwkr3— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 5, 2022
With the loss, Toronto’s chances of making the playoffs are dwindling. Four points back with as many games remaining does not bode well for Bob Bradley’s side, who will now travel to Atlanta next weekend, before Orlando the following week.
Montréal, on the other hand, remains one of the best sides in MLS with club records of 16 wins and 52 points in 29 matches so far. It's safe to say, Wilfried Nancy’s side will be eying a deep run in MLS Cup Playoffs in just over a month's time.
