Chicago Fire received some help from the elements with an extraordinary wind-assisted winner against Montreal in MLS on Saturday
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Chicago Fire beat Montreal CF 4-3 in the most dramatic of circumstances on Saturday – thanks to an extraordinary wind-assisted winner deep in added time in the teams' MLS clash at Soldier Field.
The home side had been 2-0 and 3-1 down, but launched a remarkable late comeback to level at 3-3 and the Men in Red got some help from the Windy City to seal an improbable victory in front of their fans.
In windy conditions from the outset, Matias Coccaro kept his nerve to score from the penalty spot after eight and 12 minutes as the visitors stormed into a commanding lead.
Chicago Fire's Kellyn Acosta celebrates with his team-mates after scoring a late winner against Montreal in March 2024. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Swiss midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie then pulled a goal back in the eighth minute of added time at the end of the first half and there was much more late drama to come in the second period.
Bulgarian international Dominik Yankov looked to have sealed victory for Montreal as he made it 3-1 after 70 minutes, but the Canadian side were reduced to 10 men as Raheem Edwards was sent off with eight left to play.
That was a lifeline for Chicago and the hosts pulled a goal back two minutes later through Brian Gutierrez from the penalty spot.
Literally what just happened 🤯🎥: @MLS pic.twitter.com/VI9ffalZtDMarch 16, 2024
Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers later made it 3-3 in a thrilling finale as he levelled the scores in the fifth minute of added time.
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As time ticked away, Montreal seemed set to cling on for a point, but the conditions intervened in spectacular style.
Chicago midfielder Kellyn Acosta launched one last ball into the box in the ninth minute of added time from inside his own half and the swirling wind brought it back into the middle and beyond goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois, who could only help it on its way into the net.
Ben Hayward is the Weekend Editor of FourFourTwo. A European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.
