Absolutely Flawless! Matilda’s First Goal in 714 Days Ensures City’s Thrilling Victory in Grand Final Replay

Melbourne City have done it again! After trailing 1-0 against Sydney FC at the half-time break, the league leaders staged a thrilling comeback to clinch a 2-1 victory in a captivating Grand Final rematch on Saturday evening.

Sydney FC returned to AAMI Park, the site of their Grand Final triumph over Melbourne in 2024, and took the lead early in the first half thanks to a goal from Mackenzie Hawkesby. However, just 25 seconds after the restart, Mariana Speckmaier netted an equaliser that set the scene for substitute Bryleeh Henry to secure all three points with a match-winning strike in the 89th minute.

Henry’s dramatic late goal marked her first Ninja A-League strike in a staggering 714 days.

City remains unbeaten with an impressive record of 11 wins and six draws this season, as Michael Matricciani’s side aims for a consecutive Premiership title.

ON A ROLL: Resurgent Wanderers extend streak against struggling Jets

Speaking after her long-awaited goal, Henry expressed her relief candidly.

“It took me ages, that’s for sure!” Henry remarked to Network 10.

“But it feels great to score, especially in a match like this to help the team win. I hope the goals keep coming, but I couldn’t have done it without Lourdes Bosch’s pass and the teamwork involved.

“In that moment, I was just focused on not messing it up! I aimed to hit it first time; if I took a touch, the defender would’ve been right there, and it all worked out from there.

“I feel the belief is really high within the squad. No matter how many times we go behind, we keep fighting, and there’s so much resilience in the team.

“The unbeaten streak is a fantastic achievement, no matter what sport you’re involved in. Hopefully, we can keep it up. The resilience, belief, and camaraderie within the team are in a great place at the moment.”

The Sky Blues took a surprising lead just 13 minutes into the thrilling rematch when Laura Hughes lost possession in the penalty area.

Sydney applied immense pressure, flooding the box as City attempted to play out from the back, and Hawkesby capitalised on their efforts by striking first.

The visitors kept up their pressure, almost doubling their lead when Hughes was dispossessed near the edge of the area. Princess Ibini fired just wide of the bottom left corner.

City emerged from the half-time break eager to respond to Sydney’s early goal—and they did so remarkably quickly, firing back just 25 seconds into the second half.

Speckmaier was the mastermind behind a stunning equaliser; having won possession in midfield, the Venezuelan international surged towards the edge of the box before unleashing a swerving shot into the bottom right corner.

Amber Luchtmeijer, who came on for the Sky Blues, nearly restored her side’s lead with a powerful left-footed shot, but she was denied by a spectacular diving save from Malena Mieres, keeping City in the game.

As the match drew to a close, City were in search of a hero—and substitute Henry answered the call, striking the winning goal into the bottom left corner and leaving Sydney devastated at the last moment.