It seems the footballing gods smile whenever Adelaide United and Sydney FC meet in the FFA Cup Final.
The two sides played out a thriller in 2017, but yesterday evening’s affair was something special – and a night all 14,448 fans in attendance at a rocking Coopers Stadium will likely never forget.
From fans at the ground to those watching at home, social media united in appraisal for an incredible night – and here’s how it all happened!
BEST FFA CUP PERFORMANCES: Where does Goodwin’s rank?
REACTION: Two-goal Adelaide hero Goodwin ‘ecstatic’ after fairytale FFA Cup Final 2018
REPORT: Goodwin’s brilliant brace fires Adelaide United to breathless win
‘Australia soccer at its best’: Fans thrilled after ‘epic’ Final
Michael Zappone has seen his fair share of FFA Cup and Hyundai A-League encounters over the years. But according to the Fox Sports stalwart, last night’s clash is up there with the very best he’s seen.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald’s Vince Rugari called the night ‘Australian soccer at its best’. The pair led the tributes for a truly memorable occasion in the City of Churches.
Been covering @ALeague since Day1, that tonight was up there with the very best. Well done @AdelaideUnited and @SydneyFC #MAGICOFTHECUP #FFACup
— Michael Zappone (@Michael_Zappone) October 30, 2018
This is Australian soccer at its best. Boutique stadium, packed house, incredible atmosphere, two good teams and a tense, nervy cup final. Hook it to my veins #FFACupFinal
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) October 30, 2018
Tonight was epic. What an amazing atmosphere. Boutique stadiums ?????????????????????? #FFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/GM31waNcfP
— David Manuca (@davidmanuca) October 30, 2018
The was a fantastic advert for Australian football. Congratulations @AdelaideUnited & the fans for making the final so spectacular.
????⚽️ #FFACupFinal— John Grimaud ??⚽️ (@grimaud_john) October 30, 2018
Incredible game. Amazing atmosphere. Wonderful advertisement for Australian football and I feel very lucky to have been a part of it.
Congratulations, @AdelaideUnited. ? #FFACupFinal
— Anthony (@_ascarcella) October 30, 2018
Congrats to @AdelaideUnited and credit to their amazing fans tonight. That was proper football. #FFACupFinal
— Mike Tuckerman (@Mike_Tuckerman) October 30, 2018
This is football.#FFACupFinal@AdelaideUnited are Champions of the 2018 @FFACup. pic.twitter.com/6Vi8mcuTGA
— FTBL (@FTBLcomau) October 30, 2018
Still buzzing after last night’s #FFACupFinal. Magical evening for @AdelaideUnited & SA football which embodied everything our knockout decider should. Nothing beats the atmosphere generated inside a packed Hindmarsh – hopefully we get to see it more often this #ALeaue season. pic.twitter.com/HmbiPYxWxz
— Rob Greenwood (@robgreenwood1) October 30, 2018
A surprise well-wisher
Perhaps Adelaide were destined to lift the FFA Cup Trophy, having courted the well-wishes of AS Roma prior to kick off.
It seems the Italian giants might be Adelaide’s good-luck charm…
? Congratulations on the ? @AdelaideUnited https://t.co/5UrumBUiDW
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) October 31, 2018
‘Goodwin has given Graham Arnold something to think about’
Will we ever see a better FFA Cup Final performance?
Craig Goodwin’s amazing brace was fit enough to win any game. And so impressive was his overall performance that he could now be on the radar of Caltex Socceroos boss Graham Arnold.
Just check out the angle on that free-kick!
What a view ???
? via: Ashton.__ /instagram #ALeague #FFACupFinal #ADLvSYD #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/Hrzd4ar2nz
— Daily Oz Football (@DailyOzFootball) October 30, 2018
Craig Goodwin. Standing ovation ????? unbelievable performance tonight
— Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) October 30, 2018
No doubt Craig Goodwin has given Socceroos coach Graham Arnold something to think about
— Ned Zelic (@NedZelic) October 30, 2018
Craig Goodwin making a great case for selection in Socceroos squad
— Ray Gatt (@Gatty54) October 30, 2018
Craig Goodwin is *checks notes* good #FFACup
— Edwin Smith (@edwin_smith1) October 30, 2018
Some ‘good’ coverage in the Adelaide papers this morning ? #FFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/y7MZ8abUY8
— FFA Cup (@FFACup) October 30, 2018
Remembering an incredible evening at Coopers Stadium
Adelaide’s home ground looked like a postcard in the hours leading up to kick off.
But during the match, Coopers Stadium emitted the electric, cauldron-like atmosphere that only a Cup Final can produce.
Here’s the best shots and videos from the ground!
Gorgeous evening in Adelaide for the @FFACup final. pic.twitter.com/fQy55GCLcs
— Carly Adno (@CarlyAdno226) October 30, 2018
HOW.
GOOD.
IS.
THIS.#FFACupFinal@FFACup@AdelaideUnited@SydneyFC pic.twitter.com/gIj6afw1FX— Leo James ?⚽️ (@realLeoJames) October 30, 2018
How good is this! #FFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/nlfDAWy3uE
— Sarah Walsh (@swalshy9) October 30, 2018
Perfect night at the @FFACup – go you Reds! #FFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/tbnrjWEmuq
— Kylie Taylor (@kylie_taylor_SA) October 30, 2018
??? #FFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/ZrMoDXEsQB
— FFA Cup (@FFACup) October 30, 2018
Congratulations @AdelaideUnited! #FFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/zouAI5fwqF
— Marcus Copsey (@copsey2468) October 30, 2018
#FFACupFinal .@FFACup .@AdelaideUnited 2018 Champions!!! Two Time Two Time Champions!! pic.twitter.com/y49hCzLM0l
— Scott Scriven (@Scot254) October 30, 2018
WE ARE CHAMPIONS!!! @AdelaideUnited #FFACupFinal #ForeverUnited pic.twitter.com/3hezWMWwPz
— Samantha Ioannidis (@sioannidis20) October 30, 2018
C H A M P I O N S #FFACUPFINAL @AdelaideUnited ?? pic.twitter.com/E1cIaq70oJ
— Christian D'Angelo (@dange26) October 30, 2018
We'll just leave this here. Good night everybody. ? #AUFC #FFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/L1oS7ReWjt
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) October 30, 2018