Montreal Alouettes advance to Grey Cup after beating Tiger-Cats in East Final
Posted November 8, 2025 6:12 pm.
Last Updated November 8, 2025 10:52 pm.
The Montreal Alouettes are heading back to the Grey Cup after a nail-biting 19–16 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Saturday’s East Final.
Kicker Jose Maltos Diaz was the hero, drilling a 45-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Alouettes to the win. The game ended the way it had unfolded all night — tight, tense, and led by a Montreal team that refused to fall behind.
Quarterback Davis Alexander guided a composed seven-play, 36-yard drive in the final minute, completing two key passes to Charleston Rambo to set up the winning kick. The 25-year-old pivot remained unbeaten at 13–0 as a starter, despite playing through a nagging hamstring injury that has limited him this season.
Montreal’s defence did the rest, holding Bo Levi Mitchell and Hamilton’s offence to short gains and keeping the Alouettes in control from start to finish. The victory sends Montreal to next Sunday’s Grey Cup in Winnipeg, where they’ll face the winner of the Saskatchewan–B.C. West Final.
Montreal fans erupt in celebration
While the Alouettes battled on the road, the noise inside Montreal told its own story. Fans packed into local bars and restaurants to watch the big game — including McLean’s Pub in downtown Montreal.
“Honestly, it’s about one of the greatest moments,” said one fan, raising his voice above the din of celebration. “I’m right here just grabbing some beers on a casual Saturday night, and one of the best things that could ever happen just happened.”
Lifelong fans feel the payoff
For lifelong fan Michael Palmorino, born and raised in Montreal, the moment carried years of emotion.
“I blame my father for that because he was an Al’s fan back in the day,” Palmorino said with a laugh. “Growing up, when the Al’s came back in ’96, there was always the Al’s game on. He brought me to games… it’s been a family problem ever since — I love the CFL, I love the Alouettes.”
Palmorino, a season-ticket holder, said Saturday’s win felt especially rewarding.
“That was a full game — that was defense, everything,” he said, his voice still shaking with excitement. “The team pulled it out. Oh my god, I’m still going crazy right now. This was an amazing game. We’re going to the Grey Cup. You know, Hamilton swept us in the series this season, but we didn’t have Davis Alexander as our starting quarterback. Davis played a game, we won, and now it’s off to Winnipeg and the Grey Cup.”
City pride on full display
Across the bar, fans reflected on what the moment means for Montreal.
“We’re used to having a great team in Montreal, so for us it’s very nice to have them back at the Grey Cup,” said Alexandre Viau.
Others said the team’s resurgence is reigniting pride in the city.
“It’s going to be good for the City of Montreal,” said Nicholas Massicotte of Quebec City. “They’ve been at the bottom of the standings for a long time, so it just brings back the fans — the people that have been following the team. I think that’s really fun.”
Longtime supporter Mark Patterson has seen every version of the Alouettes over the years, and Saturday’s win brought back memories of the franchise’s ups and downs.
“I’ve had season tickets since, like, I don’t know — whenever they returned to the stadium,” Patterson said. “I’ve seen them great. I’ve seen them bad. I feel great they won.”
‘A team of destiny’
For others, Saturday’s win felt like something bigger.
“They’re going all the way — this is a team of destiny,” said Wallis Loewen, another fan celebrating downtown. “Montreal needs a shot in the arm and I think this is going to do it, because this is a great city. We’re underrated. The rest of Canada doesn’t see us as the great city that we are, and we’re going to show them.”
Next stop — Winnipeg — where the Alouettes will face The Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2025 Grey Cup.
“I just think it would be a great matchup to see the Alouettes and the Riders in the Grey Cup next weekend,” said Kristen Darr, a visitor from Saskatchewan.
The Alouettes now head west, chasing another championship moment — and bringing a city full of faith and noise right along with them.
-With files from Sportsnet
