Behich’s Moment of Genius Seals Melbourne City’s A-League Triumph

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — In a Grand Final that promised fireworks, it was a moment of sheer audacity from Aziz Behich that proved decisive as Melbourne City edged Melbourne Victory 1-0 to claim their second Isuzu UTE A-League championship in front of a raucous AAMI Park crowd.

The Socceroos left-back, known for his marauding runs, produced a piece of skill that will be etched into A-League folklore. In the 10th minute, Behich latched onto a loose ball down the left flank, outmuscled Josh Rawlins, and with a flick of his heel, unlocked Victory’s defense with a sublime backheel nutmeg. The perfectly weighted pass found Andres Kuen, whose cutback led to a chaotic scramble before Yonatan Cohen smashed home the rebound after Max Caputo’s initial strike rattled the crossbar.

A Goal Worthy of a Title

Cohen’s first-half strike ultimately decided the contest, but it was Behich’s ingenuity that stole the headlines. The 34-year-old’s improvisation left Rawlins stranded and showcased why he remains one of Australia’s most technically gifted defenders.

“That’s the kind of moment you dream about in a Grand Final,” Behich said post-match. “I saw Kuen making the run and just trusted my instinct. Thankfully, it came off.”

Victory’s Frustration, City’s Resilience

Melbourne Victory, chasing their first title since 2018, dominated possession (58%) and outshot City 14-9, but lacked precision in the final third. Bruno Fornaroli was kept quiet by City’s disciplined backline, marshaled superbly by Curtis Good.

The tension peaked in the 87th minute when Victory’s Daniel Arzani curled a free-kick just wide, leaving the navy blue faithful agonized. City’s Jamie Young made three crucial saves, including a stoppage-time denial of Zinedine Machach, to preserve the clean sheet.

Tactical Takeaways

• City’s defensive compactness stifled Victory’s creative players.

• Behich & Kuen’s chemistry on the left flank was a constant threat.

• Victory’s lack of clinical finishing cost them dearly in big moments.

Final Whistle & Celebrations

As the referee blew for full-time, Melbourne City’s players collapsed in joy, while Victory’s stars slumped to the turf. The win marks City’s second championship in three years, cementing their status as a modern A-League powerhouse.

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