Sunusi Ibrahim nets first CF Montréal goal in dramatic win over Red Bulls
Nigeria international Sunusi Ibrahim came off the bench to score his first goal for CF Montréal as the Canadian side came from behind to beat New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the Major Soccer League Eastern Conference.
Ibrahim signed for Montréal in January and made his debut for the club against Inter Miami on May 13.
But until Sunday’s win — which halted a five-game winless run — Ibrahim had not scored for the Quebec side.
Montreal went behind at the Saputo Stadium in first-half stoppage time after Patryk Klimala scored from the spot following a foul on Andrew Gutman.
Coach Wilfried Nancy, desperate to see his side improve, brought Ibrahim on in the 68th minute in place of Argentinian midfielder Emanuel Maciel. The move paid off as the former Nasarawa United man found the back of the net within three minutes of his introduction to level things up.
Djordje Mihailovic managed to keep the ball in play and then found Ibrahim with a cross and the 18-year-old — who was unmarked — nodded into the far corner.
In stoppage time, Montréal won a penalty after Kyle Duncan was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Carlos Coronel saved Bjorn Johnsen’s kick but the referee — relying on video replays — found the goalkeeper guilty of leaving his line early and ordered a retake.
Mason Toye took the second one. Once again, Coronel saved. However, the referee, again, ruled that the shot stopper left his line early.
Former Tottenham Hotspur player, Victor Wanyama, scored from the third attempt to give Montréal a 2-1 advantage — and seal victory for the home side.
The result lifted Montréal up to seventh in the standings.