CanMNT Form Guide: Ali Ahmed delivers masterclass in MLS Cup playoffs
It was a good week for Canadian strikers, as four Canadian men's national team forwards found the back of the net -- some of them in heroic fashion on the continental stage.
Plus, more big Canadian performances in the MLS Cup playoffs, and a special milestone for one of the national team's most important players.
Here are the biggest stories and highlights involving Canadian internationals this week:
Ali Ahmed delivers a masterclass against Miami
After being sent off against Ecuador on November 13 in what felt like it could at least be a slight blow to his hopes of starting for Canada at the 2026 World Cup, Ali Ahmed has returned to club football and responded brilliantly.
On Saturday, in the MLS Cup Playoff Western Conference final against San Diego, Ahmed delivered a statement performance. He played a key part in all three Whitecaps goals during a 3-1 victory that earned the Caps a spot against Inter Miami in their first-ever MLS Cup final.
On the first Whitecaps goal, he played a lovely one-two with Ryan Gauld, before the Scottish international set up Brian White. He then forced a San Diego own goal with a strike in the 28th minute. His finest moment, however, came in first-half stoppage time when he beat his man down the line with some stunning skill before crossing for White to score Vancouver’s third.
Ahmed finished the match with three shot attempts, two key passes, two successful dribbles and completed 31 of 37 passes. He and the Whitecaps will now look to lift the MLS Cup next Saturday in Miami.
That White 🫱🏻🫲🏾 Ahmed Connection 😮💨
— X - Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 30, 2025
📺 https://t.co/2S6nngvujy #VWFC | #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Pgq5hUQNdW
Champions League heroics for Promise, Jonathan David
Tuesday was a day to celebrate for Canadian fans, as a pair of national team strikers scored huge goals in the UEFA Champions League.
First, it was Promise David, cleverly slotting home a 57th-minute cutback to give his USG side a 1-0 victory over Galatasaray for his second Champions League goal. Then, after coming off the bench late, Jonathan David finally broke his scoreless streak to deliver Juventus a 3-2 win against FK Bodø/Glimt. In the cold conditions in Norway, it is no surprise that the Iceman was right at home.
Both were back in action this weekend, albeit with less headline-worthy performances. The biggest story, however, was an injury to Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović, with David coming into the match in the 31st minute as a result. Juventus went on to win 2-1 against Cagliari, and David was far from his best, but this injury, which could see Vlahović miss several weeks, could open minutes for the Canadian to get back into the lineup more consistently.
In other action…
Daniel Jebbison continues to be in great form for Preston North End, scoring his third goal of the season with a lovely finish to open the scoring in a 1-1 draw against Watford. He then started and played 58 minutes in a 3-2 Preston win over Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.
Theo Bair added his sixth goal of the season in Swiss Super League action from the penalty spot on Sunday, which stood as the winner in a 2-1 Lausanne victory over Thun.
Stephen Eustáquio hit a considerable milestone this weekend with FC Porto, playing his 150th match for the club in a 3-0 win over Nice in the UEFA Europa League. He came off the match for the final 10 minutes in that one. He then played the final eight minutes of a 1-0 win over Estoril in league action.
Owen Goodman made three saves in a 2-1 loss to Luton Town midweek, before making 1 in a wild 3-3 draw with his former loan side AFC Wimbledon at home.
Alfie Jones put in a strong performance, playing the full 90 in a 2-1 win over Derby County on Saturday. He also played 90 in a 4-2 loss to top-of-the-table Coventry midweek. Middlesbrough remain in second place in the Championship, hoping for automatic promotion.
Niko Sigur played the full 90 for Hajduk Split as they drew 1-1 with 10-man Varaždin in league action. Split remain at the top of the Croatian league table.
Nathan Saliba missed a potential all-Canadian clash with Promise David in Belgium due to yellow card accumulation. However, his Anderlecht side did get a big 1-0 victory in the match, just the second team to beat USG in the league this season.
Ismaël Koné started and played 82 minutes in Sassuolo’s 2-0 loss to Como on Friday.
Tajon Buchanan started and played 83 minutes in a 4-0 Champions League loss to Dortmund, and then went 78 minutes in a 3-2 win over Real Sociedad at the weekend.
Tani Oluwaseyi played the full 90 in a lopsided 4-0 loss to Dortmund in the Champions League, with three goals coming after a Villarreal sending off in the 52nd minute. He then came on in the 86th minute in a 3-2 win over Real Sociedad.
Cyle Larin remains out with an injury he suffered in the Canadian men’s national team camp last month.
