Melbourne Victory Clinches Second Win of the Season With Reno Piscopo’s Goal of the Year Contender

Victory appeared in full control early in the game, pushing Macarthur’s defense to its limits. Yet it was Macarthur who struck first in the 51st minute when Valere Germain found the back of the net with a header off Marin Jakolis’s cross, giving the Bulls a surprising lead. This setback spurred Melbourne Victory to step up their attack, and substitute Daniel Arzani leveled the score with a well-taken penalty after a handball from Macarthur’s Walter Scott.

Victory Overcomes Early Setback to Secure Win With Arzani’s Penalty and Piscopo’s Stunning Long-Range Goal

Victory’s rising momentum culminated in the 68th minute when Reno Piscopo took center stage. Picking up the ball from 30 meters out, Piscopo unleashed a powerful, bending shot that sailed past Macarthur’s Filip Kurto and landed beautifully in the top corner—a strike already hailed as a top contender for goal of the season.

Before the game even began, Victory fans were left wondering about the absence of star striker Bruno Fornaroli, who was seen sitting in the stands without any apparent injury report. This unexpected omission led Network 10’s Simon Hill to speculate that “despite the warm weather, looks like he’s out in the cold at Victory.”

Macarthur Bulls’ Opening Strike, Fornaroli’s Absence, and Piscopo’s Decisive Performance

The game began with Victory seeking to replicate their high-pressure style seen in their recent Melbourne Derby match, but early missed chances from Zinedine Machach kept them off the scoreboard. After coming on as a substitute, Arzani’s performance was pivotal—first with a strong corner that led to the handball penalty, and then coolly converting from the spot.

Piscopo’s decisive goal added confidence to the team, allowing them to exploit the spaces left by Macarthur as they chased an equalizer. Late-game efforts from Brazilian import Santos and substitute Jing Reec tested Macarthur’s resilience, but Victory’s defense held firm, lifting Patrick Kisnorbo’s side to second in the league standings.

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