Forge FC’s triumph over CF Montreal in the 2026 Canadian Championship final was a masterclass in resilience and precision, delivering a historic moment for Canadian soccer. The match, played at Stade Saputo in Montreal, ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with Antoine Batisse’s 45+6’ strike for Forge and Daniel Ríos’ 49’ equalizer for Montreal setting the stage for a shootout that would decide the title. What followed was a display of nerve and skill, as Forge goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud emerged as the decisive figure, saving three penalty kicks to guide his team to a 4-2 victory. The win not only crowned Forge as the first CPL side to lift the Voyageurs Cup but also secured their automatic qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, a rare achievement for a Canadian club.
The road to this final had been arduous for both teams, but Forge’s elimination of CF Montreal from the Canadian Championship for a third consecutive year added a layer of significance to the night. Montreal, who had last won the title in 2021, faced a daunting task in the final, particularly when Prince Owusu’s early penalty kick was saved by Bertaud in dramatic fashion. The goalkeeper’s diving save to his left denied Owusu, a key striker for Montreal, and set the tone for Forge’s shootout dominance. Bertaud’s heroics extended to two more saves, including one in the fifth round, before Manjrekar James stepped up to convert the decisive penalty, sending Forge’s players into jubilant celebration.
The implications of this victory stretch beyond the Voyageurs Cup. Forge’s achievement marks a turning point for the Canadian Premier League, proving its ability to produce teams capable of competing at the highest continental level. The CPL’s first-ever Canadian Championship win underscores the league’s growing stature in North American soccer, particularly as it prepares to send a representative to the Concacaf Champions Cup—a competition traditionally dominated by MLS and Liga MX sides. For Forge, this triumph also solidifies their status as a force to be reckoned with in the CPL, following their consistent performances in recent seasons.
While Montreal’s campaign ended in disappointment, their journey to the final was far from lacking. The club’s resilience in reaching the ninth Canadian Championship final in their history—just their second appearance since 2021—demonstrated their enduring competitiveness. However, the shootout’s outcome highlighted the unpredictability of penalty shootouts, where individual performances can swing the result entirely. Forge’s ability to capitalize on Montreal’s early mistakes and Bertaud’s clutch saves turned the tide, delivering a result that will be remembered as one of the most dramatic in Canadian soccer history.
Looking ahead, Forge’s next challenge will be maintaining their momentum in the CPL regular season, where they face Pacific on Sunday. Meanwhile, Montreal’s focus shifts to their upcoming MLS match against Nashville SC, a reminder of the broader soccer landscape in North America. This victory, however, will be etched in Forge’s history as a defining moment—a night where determination, tactical discipline, and individual brilliance combined to deliver a title that had eluded Canadian sides for years.
