Melbourne Victory are through to the 2026 Australia Cup final after defeating arch-rivals Sydney FC 2-0 in the semi-final at Jubilee Oval.
Giovanni Savarese’s side will now face either NPL VIC side South Melbourne FC or NPL QLD’s Lions FC in the final.
In what was the first ever Big Blue in the Australia Cup, Victory flew out of the blocks and took the lead in just the second minute.
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Sydney midfielder Joe Lacey was dispossessed inside his own half before the ball was worked out to Keegan Jelacic and the winger did the rest, firing a powerful low shot beyond Gus Hoefsloot and into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Victory had a good chance to double their lead through Clerismario Santos before Sydney FC had claims for a penalty waved away despite Victory keeper Jack Duncan catching Takahiro Sekine late on the head after the forward had beaten him to the ball.
Sydney came close through Oriola Sunday, with the striker rattling the post as he looked to bag his first goal for the club before Savarese’s side then looked to make it 2-0 in the second half as Jason Davidson saw his low effort well saved by Hoefsloot.
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 09: Melbourne Victory players celebrate at full-time during the Australia Cup Semifinal match between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory FC
The Sydney shot-stopper was then called into action again, this time to deny Santos, but Victory did eventually get their second in the 61st minute, as Charles Nduka’s cut-back was turned into his own net by the retreating Jordan Courtney-Perkins.
The Sky Blues then pushed hard for a way back into the contest by Victory held firm to secure their spot in the Australia Cup Final, their first appearance back in the decider since losing to Macarthur Bulls in 2024.
