Melbourne City’s historic AFC Women’s Champions League campaign came to a cruel end on Saturday night, falling to Wuhan Jiangda on penalties after a gripping 1-1 draw in regular and extra time at Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium.
After taking a deserved lead through Shelby McMahon’s second crucial goal in as many games, City looked destined to lift the trophy in what was the Club’s first ever continental final.
But two late VAR interventions turned the contest on its head, allowing Wuhan to equalise and eventually triumph 5-4 in the shootout.
Team News
Michael Matricciani made two changes to his starting XI following Wednesday’s dramatic Semi-Final win over Hyundai Steel Red Angels. Shelby McMahon was rewarded with a start after her 94th-minute stunner midweek, replacing Laura Hughes who was battling illness. On the left wing, Lourdes Bosch was reintroduced in place of Mariana Speckmaier.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 9. Holly McNAMARA.
Substitutes: 1. Sophia VARLEY (GK), 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 14. Laura HUGHES, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 31. Carina ROSSI.
What happened?
A cagey start saw both teams play cautiously early, with Bosch providing City’s most dangerous outlet on the left. McNamara had the best chance of the half when McKenna released her in the 27th minute, but the Wuhan keeper made a strong one-on-one save.
Malena Mieres was called into his first meaningful action of the night on the stroke of half-time, recovering well to tip a long-range effort over the bar just seconds before the break.
City came out firing in the second half and dominated the early stages, with Henry and McNamara both going close.
The pressure finally paid off in the 76th minute when McKenna’s perfectly delivered set piece was met by a thunderous header from McMahon to give City a deserved lead.
As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, City looked to have sealed the win when Bryleeh Henry tucked home a second, sparking wild celebrations. But heartbreak quickly followed. VAR ruled out the goal for a foul in the buildup, and moments later, another VAR intervention awarded Wuhan a penalty for handball. Wang Shuang calmly converted to level the scores at 1-1 in the 94th minute.
Extra time saw chances at both ends, with McMahon, Speckmaier and McKenna all coming close to finding a winner for City.
Mieres, Taylor Otto, and Alexia Apostolakis were immense in defence, holding off sustained Wuhan pressure.
With no breakthrough in 120 minutes, it came down to penalties. City had opportunities to win the shootout but were ultimately edged 5-4 as Wuhan held their nerve best to lift the trophy
What’s next?
While the defeat will sting, the 2024/25 season will go down as one of the most memorable in Melbourne City’s history. From an unbeaten domestic regular season and Premiers Plate, to the brink of continental glory, this squad has shown remarkable resilience and quality across 31 matches.
After coming within inches of history, City will regroup and return stronger, with the hunger for silverware only set to grow.
