A Kyle Bekker own goal five minutes from time sealed a 2-1 win for Montreal in the 2018-19 Champion’s Cup
Montreal Impact beat Toronto FC to win the Canadian championship.
A Kyle Bekker own goal five minutes from time sealed a 2-1 win for the Impact in the 2018-19 Champion’s Cup final at Saputo Stadium in the La Cité sporting complex in Montreal on Saturday night.
After a dismal start, Montréal took the lead on a terrible mistake by Toronto keeper Alex Bono who saw his clearance go straight to the feet of Genki Haraguchi, and Bekker inadvertently looped the ball over him into the net.
A shocking own goal. Toronto conceded after Montreal’s Joao Plata combined well with Laurent Ciman on the right hand side and moved into space. Toronto keeper Bono dropped to his left to try and claim the cross. At the other end, Genki Haraguchi knocked the ball on to his right foot to control and pull back to Joao Plata, who coolly rolled the ball towards the near post.
However, Bekker inadvertently put it into his own net. Tim Matavz then made it 2-0 for the Impact with a header from an Urho Vaakanainen corner.
A Dejan Jakovic header three minutes from time made it 2-1 and set up a nervy finish, but it was too little too late as Kekuta Manneh, who had provided the assist with a superb lofted pass in the 79th minute, pulled it back for the final goal in a tense match.