Canadian football news: the Montreal Alouettes lead the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23 to 10 at halftime in the East Final at Percival Molson Stadium, and the Bombers now have 30 minutes to save a season that looked lost after a slow start in Montreal.
By Maplestime Sports Desk | Montreal, Quebec | November 7, 2026
Sources: theScore live game data | Sportradar live scoreboard | Last updated: November 7, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Montreal leads Winnipeg 23 to 10 at halftime in the East Final on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal.
- Jose Maltos Diaz kicked three field goals for Montreal, including a 28 yard kick with nine seconds left in the second quarter that pushed the lead to 13 points.
- Stevie Scott III scored on a 3 yard run and Davis Alexander threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to D. Ventrelli for the Alouettes.
- Winnipeg’s points came from a Sergio Castillo 25 yard field goal and a B. Perkins 1 yard touchdown run late in the second quarter.
- Montreal outgained Winnipeg 269 yards to 127 in the first half, with 240 passing yards to Winnipeg’s 63.
- The winner advances to the 113th Grey Cup on Sunday, November 15, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
How the First Half Played Out
Montreal scored first and never trailed. Maltos Diaz opened the scoring with a 40 yard field goal with 12:09 left in the first quarter, then Scott ran in from 3 yards out with 3:41 left in the quarter to make it 10 to 0.
The Alouettes kept the pressure on in the second quarter. Maltos Diaz added a 30 yard field goal with 11:17 left to stretch the lead to 13 to 0, and Winnipeg finally answered when Castillo hit a 25 yard field goal with 5:37 left to make it 13 to 3.
Montreal answered right back. Alexander found Ventrelli for an 8 yard touchdown pass with 2:35 left in the half, and the convert made it 20 to 3. Winnipeg refused to fold before the break: Perkins powered in from 1 yard out with 1:28 left, and Castillo’s convert cut the gap to 20 to 10.
Then Montreal took the last word of the half. Maltos Diaz drilled a 28 yard field goal with nine seconds left, sending the Alouettes to the locker room up 23 to 10.
What the Numbers Say at Halftime
The first half stats tell the story of a Montreal team in control. The Alouettes hold a 12 to 9 edge in first downs and a 269 to 127 edge in total yards. The passing gap is the widest one on the sheet: Montreal has 240 passing yards to Winnipeg’s 63.
Winnipeg has actually run the ball better, 72 rushing yards to Montreal’s 34, but the Bombers have not turned that ground work into points. Montreal has held the ball for 16:18 to Winnipeg’s 13:42, and Winnipeg has taken four penalties for 35 yards to Montreal’s two for 10. Neither team has thrown an interception, and Winnipeg lost one fumble in the half.
What Winnipeg Needs in the Second Half
Winnipeg got here the hard way, as the crossover team from the West, after beating Toronto 25 to 22 in the East Semifinal on October 31. Zach Collaros was active for the East Final after sitting out that semifinal win, and the Bombers need their offence to find the rhythm it showed late against the Argonauts.
The task is clear and it is steep. Winnipeg trails by 13 points, Montreal is 9 and 0 at home this season, and the Alouettes finished first in the East at 14 and 4. The Bombers have 30 minutes to turn this game around and keep their Grey Cup hopes alive.
Maplestime will provide updates from the East Final as the second half plays out on November 7, 2026.
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Do you think the Bombers can come back from 13 down in the second half, or has Montreal already booked its Grey Cup trip? Tell us in the comments. And share this with every Canadian following the East Final this afternoon.
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