The Canadian Premier League’s drama reached its peak on Saturday as Atletico Ottawa secured their return to the final with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Forge FC in the second leg of their semifinal. Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau, the club’s talismanic forward, delivered a hat-trick—including the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute—to seal a 5-4 aggregate triumph, ensuring the defending champions advance to face Cavalry FC in the championship decider.
Fleuriau Chateau’s brilliance was on full display from the outset, with his first goal in the 25th minute setting the tone for Ottawa’s resilience. Forge FC, who had drawn 2-2 in the first leg, fought back fiercely, but the visitors’ midfield control and finishing power proved decisive. The second goal in the 84th minute further exposed Forge’s defensive vulnerabilities, while Fleuriau Chateau’s third strike in stoppage time—his third of the night—left Hamilton’s players and fans in stunned silence. The goal, a clinical finish after a quick counter, cemented Ottawa’s dominance in the tie and their status as favorites for the title.
This victory ensures Atletico Ottawa will meet Cavalry FC in the CPL final for the second consecutive year, a rematch of the 2025 decider where Ottawa emerged victorious. The Calgary-based side, who won their lone CPL title in 2024, will now look to break their championship drought, having advanced after a 3-2 aggregate win over FC Montreal. The final, scheduled for November 21 in Calgary, promises to be a clash of styles—Ottawa’s possession-heavy, attacking football against Cavalry’s physicality and counterattacking prowess.
For Forge FC, the elimination marks the end of a challenging campaign, though their resilience in the first leg had drawn praise. The team’s industrial spirit, rooted in Hamilton’s steelworking heritage, was on full display, but the tactical edge and finishing of Atletico Ottawa proved too much. Fleuriau Chateau’s performance alone—three goals in a single match—will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the 2026 season, reinforcing his status as the league’s most lethal finisher. With the final now in sight, all eyes turn to Calgary, where the next chapter of CPL history will unfold.
