To call Forge FC’s opening game of the 2020 Concacaf League an exciting affair would be an understatement.
The Hamilton-based club made history by taking down Club Deportivo Municipal Limeño 2-1 in El Salvador’s national stadium Estadio Cuscatlán on Thursday night to advance to the round of 16.
Mo Babouli’s cutting pass to David Choinière allowed the CPL Champions to open the scoring in the 21st minute. A first-half answer-back goal from Municipal Limeño put Forge on notice.
Many nervy moments followed with Johnny Grant’s red card in the second half only making things worse.
But then, in the 84th minute, a moment of Concacaf magic: Anthony Novak smartly chested down a cross and smashed a winner past the Limeño ‘keeper.
It’s the first victory by a CPL team on foreign soil after Forge earned a draw and suffered a loss in their road games during the 2019 Concacaf League campaign. Forge will move on to play Tauro FC of Panama in the next round on Nov. 3.
Here are the best reactions from Forge’s historic continental victory…
RELATED READING: 10-man Forge FC wins in El Salvador to advance in Concacaf League
6 former Sigma FC players starting in tonight’s @Concacaf League match for @ForgeFCHamilton against @limeno_oficial https://t.co/cbdun7GR5b
— Sigma FC (@SigmaFC) October 22, 2020
#SCL20 #CanPL pic.twitter.com/XHou9ijkSI
— Tom Walker (@TomasWalker) October 23, 2020
I know it's sacrilegious wearing a rival's shirt but c'mon @ForgeFCHamilton. Do #canpl proud! pic.twitter.com/k3hOkqmdlp
— Edward Hon-Sing Wong (@edwardhswong) October 23, 2020
⚽ Goal @ForgeFCHamilton ??!
David Choiniere scores the opener! @ForgeFCHamilton 1-0 @LimenoOficial | #SCL20 pic.twitter.com/t44SC5853i— Concacaf (@Concacaf) October 23, 2020
This Lemon Pigs-Forge game is very physical. The kind of game a lot of Canadian teams struggle with in CONCACAF. Seems right up Forge's street though. You have to feel all those battles with Cavalry will have helped prepare them for such matches. #ConcacafLeague
— AFTN (@aftncanada) October 23, 2020
56' So far, @LimenoOficial are looking the more dangerous side this half. If @ForgeFCHamilton don't kick back into gear, this may be a short CONCACAF League for the lads…#SCL2020
— Shawn Gray (@Shawn_R_Gray) October 23, 2020
Oh boy, here we go. Red card to Jonathan Grant. #CanPL #ConcacafLeague
— Kristin Knowles (@kzknowles) October 23, 2020
There is that inevitable Concacaf sending off.
— Nicky (@NickyCottee) October 23, 2020
Getting Concacafed a bit here
— Allan (@offsidetwice) October 23, 2020
?? David Choiniere | #SCL20 @ForgeFCHamilton pic.twitter.com/LOMsaTwtnB
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) October 23, 2020
That shot of Smyrniotis and Reynders looked suspiciously like they were making a list… https://t.co/kzGpVGepxy
— Charlie O'Connor-Clarke (@charliejclarke) October 23, 2020
? ⚽ What a goal by Anthony Novak!
A 10-men @ForgeFCHamilton takes a 2-1 lead over @LimenoOficial | #SCL20 pic.twitter.com/ZJHyWf5wnM— Concacaf (@Concacaf) October 23, 2020
Take a bow, Anthony Novak.
— Steven Sandor (@stevensandor) October 23, 2020
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!!! NOVAK WITH A CRACKING VOLLEY AND WE LEAD LATE!!!!
83’
Forge 2-1 Limeno #ForgeFC #SCL2020— The Ambitious City (@ambitiouscityyy) October 23, 2020
Brilliant strike by Novak for @ForgeFCHamilton who have been pressuring brilliantly despite playing with 10 men. ⚽️?? https://t.co/TgYLz3e2ve
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) October 23, 2020
10-man @ForgeFCHamilton did what now?? #CanPl #concacaf https://t.co/lnzidmZw8E
— J.J. Adams (@TheRealJJAdams) October 23, 2020
Elimane Cisse with the 300 IQ stretcher play that he knows he doesn't need, you just know the man was built for CONCACAF #CanPL #ConcacafLeague
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) October 23, 2020
Forge have been marvellous since going a man down, truly. Every time they’ve won the ball back they’ve managed to hang onto it, slow the game down, and actually find a way to create their own opportunities. Patience and desire on full display. #CanPL #ConcacafLeague
— Mahith Gamage (@mahithgamage) October 23, 2020
Hey @ForgeFCHamilton fans?
Don't forget the hot sauce ??#CanPL | #SCL2020 pic.twitter.com/64Hm18ahMa
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) October 23, 2020
First piggies. Bulls up next. #CanPL pic.twitter.com/CgM4SRSCKM
— Charlie O'Connor-Clarke (@charliejclarke) October 23, 2020
If you had told me three years ago I'd be screaming at my TV over a Hamilton soccer team winning a game in El Salvador I would not have believed you… but here we are. @ForgeFCHamilton #CanPL
— Louie B (@LouieB_TV) October 23, 2020