Melbourne City’s season came to a heartbreaking end in Auckland, defeated in a penalty shootout following a dramatic 120 minutes at Go Media Stadium.
Guillermo May struck against the run of play just before half-time to hand Auckland the advantage, leaving City frustrated after controlling much of the opening period. Just when it looked as though the game was slipping away, Medin Memeti popped up deep into stoppage time, converting from close range after a superb Aziz Behich free kick to force extra time.
Despite an open and frantic additional 30 minutes, neither side could find a winner, with City ultimately falling short in a tense penalty shootout.
Team News
Aurelio Vidmar made four changes to his starting XI, welcoming back a host of experience with Socceroos Mathew Leckie and Nathaniel Atkinson both returning.
Besian Kutleshi was handed a start in midfield, becoming the youngest player to start a Men’s Finals fixture since 2020, while Harrison Delbridge replaced the injured Samuel Souprayen in defence.
Starting XI: 1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 2. Harrison DELBRIDGE, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 7. Mathew LECKIE, 44. Besian KUTLESHI, 30. Andreas KUEN, 28. Marcus YOUNIS, 11. Elbasan RASHANI, 17. Max CAPUTO.
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 8. Ryan TEAGUE, 10. Takeshi KANAMORI, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 35. Medin MEMETI, 36. Harry SHILLINGTON.
What happened?
It was a lively and physical start to the contest, with an early heavy challenge from Max Caputo setting the tone for what would prove to be a fiercely fought Finals clash. City settled quickly though, making the brighter opening as we looked to assert control on the contest.
Our pressing game was a standout feature early, with Caputo and Andreas Kuen leading the charge and forcing Auckland into a number of mistakes as they attempted to play out from the back. That pressure translated into territory and chances, with City repeatedly working the ball into dangerous areas.
Caputo had the first clear opportunity, racing in behind and attempting to lift his finish over the advancing goalkeeper, only to send his effort just over the bar. Moments later, a series of corners kept Auckland pinned deep, with Behich delivering a dangerous ball to the near post that Leckie met strongly, but his header drifted narrowly wide.
City continued to threaten as the half progressed, with Kutleshi producing a brilliant through ball to release Elbasan Rashani, who looked to round the goalkeeper but was denied by a well-timed intervention.
Despite City’s dominance, the decisive moment of the half came at the other end. Following a lengthy stoppage late in the half, Auckland capitalised on a set piece, with May rising at the near post to head home and give the hosts the lead just before the break.
City responded strongly after half-time, again taking control of possession and pushing forward with intent. Leckie, Kutleshi and Behich all drove the team up the pitch as we searched for a way back into the contest, while Caputo went close with a sharp turn and strike that flashed just wide.
At the other end, Patrick Beach was called into action to produce an important save to keep the deficit at one, before City resumed our attacking push. Memeti, introduced off the bench just after the hour mark, made an immediate impact, adding energy and directness in the final third.
As time ticked down, Auckland dropped deeper in an attempt to protect their lead, while City continued to probe for an opening. Leckie was denied by a strong defensive block, and Memeti came close with a low drive that narrowly missed the target.
With the game entering its final moments, City found the breakthrough in dramatic fashion. Behich delivered a superb free kick into the box, and Memeti reacted quickest to turn the ball home from close range, sending fans back in Melbourne into raptures and forcing extra time.
Buoyed by the late equaliser, City began extra time brightly, looking to seize momentum. However, Auckland responded in kind, and the contest opened up into an end-to-end battle.
Both sides had chances to win it, with Andrew Nabbout driving forward and narrowly missing the target, while Beach produced a stunning save to deny a certain goal and keep City alive. Memeti continued to impress at both ends, working tirelessly to contribute in attack and defence.
Despite the chances, neither side could find a decisive moment, with desperate defending and strong goalkeeping ensuring the scores remained locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes.
The match would be decided from the penalty spot, and in a high-quality shootout, the first 12 attempts were all converted. Unfortunately for City, the decisive moment went against us, with our first miss proving costly before Auckland converted to seal a 7-6 shootout victory and bring our season to a close.
