In Montréal, a cup final that had already slipped away at home left a second, more awkward image behind it: Alexis Sánchez arguing with CF Montréal coach Philippe Eullaffroy after the Chilean forward was kept waiting on the touchline for much of the night.
Montréal were beaten by Forge in Wednesday’s Canadian Championship final, losing 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Sánchez had been prepared to enter only during extra time, despite supporters at the stadium recording him warming up for more than 50 minutes. When Eullaffroy finally called for him, the former Barcelona and Arsenal attacker initially declined to go on and exchanged words with his coach.
Sánchez was eventually persuaded to prepare for the substitution, but there was no time left for him to take the field before the referee ended the phase of play and sent the final to the shootout. He therefore could not be selected among Montréal’s penalty takers as Forge secured the trophy.
The result gives Forge a notable place in Canadian football history. The club became the first side from outside Major League Soccer to win the country’s annual knockout competition, which brings together teams from different leagues, including Montréal, Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps. Forge’s victory also earns a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
For Montréal, the defeat compounds a difficult domestic campaign. The club remain bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference while their Canadian Cup run has ended one match short of a title.
Sánchez joined Montréal in August on a free transfer, making the Canadian side the 11th professional club of his career. The 2015 and 2016 Copa América winner with Chile signed a deal running until June next year. His long European record includes a Club World Cup with Barcelona, five trophies at Arsenal and two Serie A titles with Inter Milan.
