The match clock read 91:10 when Bryleeh Henry scored the goal that, if allowed to stand, would have made Melbourne City the Champions of Asia.
What came next, in 168 cruel seconds, denied City their AFC Women’s Champions League crown, and set Wuhan Jiangda on course for penalty shootout victory over the Ninja A-League side.
MATCH REPORT: Heartbreak as Melbourne City lose Champions League final on penalties
City were up 1-0 in second-half stoppage time after 17-year-old Shelby McMahon’s thumping header in the 76th minute; the teenager’s Semi-Final heroics sent City through to the final of the tournament and after her stoppage-time stunner in the final four, McMahon’s second-half goal in the final looked set to cap off a dream week in her young career.
Then came the moment that flipped the contest on its head. In the second minute of added time, Henry won possession in midfield and sparked the attacking move which led to the young winger firing home what City thought would be the sealing goal.
Teammates came from far and wide to pile onto Henry as City head coach Michael Matricciani held his arms out wide in celebration – but then, the champagne was put on ice as a VAR check ensued.
The referee’s pitchside review centred on Henry’s challenge on Wuhan defender Yuxin Zhao that led to the turnover of possession. Returning to the field of play, the referee awarded a free-kick in midfield to Wuhan as Henry’s stoppage-time strike was wiped from the scoreboard.
Less than three minutes later, disaster struck for City as another VAR check led to a handball call on Mariana Speckmaier in City’s defensive penalty box, and the awarding of a penalty to Wuhan.
Wang Shuang equalised from the spot to send the game to extra-time.
On the cusp of Asian glory, City were unable to find a second goal through 30 additional minutes and fell to a 5-4 defeat in the penalty shootout as Wuhan, not City, celebrated their coronation as champions of Asia.
Those chaotic 168 seconds between Henry’s disallowed goal and Speckmaier’s handball highlighted the cutthroat nature of tournament football as victory in the final was ripped from City’s hands in the cruellest possible way.
MATCH REPORT: Heartbreak as Melbourne City lose Champions League final on penalties
“We all love football because of these moments,” said City head coach Michael Matricciani post-game.
“Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t. I thought over the 120 minutes, we played extremely well. I think we created a number of chances to win that match quite comfortably.
“Obviously, a few decisions didn’t go our way with VAR late in the game… but still stay strong, especially with a huge crowd, which was an absolute pleasure to play in front of, we showed our character because we got back on top. I’m extremely proud.”
“What was really pleasing for me, and what I was really proud of, obviously we scored the second goal and thought we had won it. And then obviously the VAR picked up a foul during the play. I haven’t watched anything back but I’m sure it is (a foul).
“Then they were hitting a lot of long balls and we were trying to absorb that pressure. I haven’t seen it back, but obviously it has hit one of our players’ arms and it was awarded a penalty.
“When they scored I think we composed ourselves really well. Normally, teams can crumble in those moments, especially when the opposition has all the momentum and the crow dbehind them. And it was a huge credit to our players.
“I was so, so proud in that moment. Even I was thinking in that moment, ‘Do we have the courage to keep playing? Do we have the courage to keep trying to dominate the abll and play? And we did. That’s the City way.”
Saturday night’s defeat in the final was a heartbreaking end to a season in which City won the Ninja A-League Premiership after an “invincible” unbeaten regular season in Australia – a feat that earned the club entry back into the AFC Women’s Champions League in 2025-26.
“I’m extremely proud of the team, and they’re only going to get better from that,” Matricciani said. “We’re really happy we won a Premiership again in Australia and we’ve qualified again for this beautiful competition, which I think is only going to keep growing and growing. We’re excited to be back.”
