Second-half substitute Alberto Ocejo's goal in the 88th minute carried Santos Laguna to a 1-0 victory over CFM Tuesday night in Mexico.
When it looked like CF Montreal was heading for a goalless draw as Champions League games began, a familiar scenario stunned the spectators.
Second-half substitute Alberto Ocejo's goal in the 88th minute gave Santos Laguna a 1-0 win over CFM in the opening leg of a two-game total at the Estadio Corona in Torreón, Mexico.
Fernando Goriaran worked on the play as Santos Laguna attacked late. He found Ocejo in the box and his header went past goalkeeper Sebastian Brezza.
Conceiving late goals was a problem that often plagued CFM the previous season, when it, finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference, failed to qualify for the playoffs.
But the MLS club can only think about what might happen after a controversial call at the start of the match.
The visiting team looked to take an early lead in the sixth minute on a goal from Rommel Quito. However, after a video review, the score was rejected after a suspected foul against Lassi Lapplainen.
It was CFM's first official competition of the season, five weeks after AF began training, and four friendlies in Florida. Santos Laguna, who plays in the mighty Liga MX, has struggled this season and is in last place after five matches. The Mexican side has suffered four losses and one draw while conceding 13 goals.
In this round of 16 series, the return leg will be played next Tuesday at the Olympic Stadium.
It would have been a great start for the visitors if Quito's goal had counted as quickly as possible.
The Honduran international, who scored eight goals for CFM last season, showed no defeat on a scintillating solo effort on the left. Despite being covered closely by Felix Torres, Quiotto held on before hitting goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo on a low shot from a difficult angle.
However, as Quito and his teammates were celebrating, Jamaican referee Oshane Nation ordered a video replay. It was eventually determined that Laplainen had committed a foul in midfield against Alan Cervantes.
While no denying contact was made, the play came well before the goal, the controversial foul was hardly serious. CFM manager Wilfred Nancy protested, to no avail.
What became clear, however, was that the call took the sail out of CF Montreal's attack. The team never again threatened aggressively in the opening half. Instead, Brezza held on to the fort, making one save after another.
In the 11th, he punches the ball away as Brian Lozano's cross gets to Doria. The best opportunity for Santos Laguna came in 29th, both by Eduardo Aguirre. From inside the box, he takes a low shot, then pats it on the rebound. But he was denied by Brezza, who saved a pair of legs.
In the A38th, from Santos Laguna corner, Aguirre again came close with a header. But Brezza got a piece of the shot, which then appeared to be deflecting from outside the post.
CFM, to its credit, copes well with constant pressure. Lozano had one last chance just before halftime, but his thrust went to the far post.
Santos Laguna beat CF Montreal 14-1 in the first half. Six of his shots were on target, while the home club had a 9-0 advantage in the corners.
Santos Laguna continued to dominate after halftime. Lozano had a chance to score early, but his low shot was easily saved. Then, in the 49th, Harold Precido defeated defender Joel Waterman from the left, forcing Brezza to make a diving save on low show.
Finally in the 60th, CF Montreal launched an attack, but Joaquín Torres' shot reached the far post. About six minutes later, Rida Zouhir's shot from a distance went over the bar. The Montreal native is only 18 years old.
In the 70th, Kyoto again came close from the left. His powerful shot was dismissed by Acevedo.