Records were broken in a pair of contrasting yet similarly breathtaking Hyundai A-League Semi Finals on the weekend.
Perth Glory endured nervous moments, and a record-breaking penalty shoot-out, to get past Adelaide United and set up a home Grand Final.
They will face a Sydney FC side on a high after their demolition of rivals Melbourne Victory.
Let’s take a look back at the most interesting facts and figures from the games thanks to Opta data.
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Reddy and Izzo star in epic shoot-out
Liam Reddy helped Perth Glory maintain their perfect finals record at home in incredible fashion.
The goalkeeper made four saves in the 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Adelaide United after one of the most amazing games in Hyundai A-League history ended 3-3.
It marks the most by a goalkeeper in a shoot-out in the competition’s history, while Paul Izzo’s three for the Reds is the outright second most.
Prior to that, no team in Hyundai A-League history had ever failed to score more than two of their penalties in a shootout.
✅ Saves 4 (!) penalties in the shootout
✅ Scores his own spot kick
✅ Helps his team into the @ALeague grand final@LiamReddy33 is definitely @PerthGloryFC's hero!What's the most heroic performance you've seen by a player for YOUR team?pic.twitter.com/jORMjL2ebO
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) May 11, 2019
Diego Castro’s brace had the premiers in control before late goals from Baba Diawara and Ryan Kitto sent an incredible game into extra-time.
Scott Neville appeared to have won it for Perth again, only for Michael Marrone to force penalties in the first finals meeting between the clubs.
But as both goalkeepers stepped up, Reddy took the limelight – keeping Perth perfect in home finals, a record they will carry into Sunday’s decider against Sydney FC.
Sky Blues batter Victory in unbelievable Big Blue
Sydney FC produced a spectacular performance to crush Melbourne Victory 6-1 at Jubilee Stadium.
It was the equal biggest winning margin in the pair’s rivalry, but comfortably the biggest in a final, bettering Victory’s 3-0 success in the 2015 Grand Final.
Only Ola Toivonen’s late header denied Sydney the outright biggest Big Blue win.
The win also almost matched the greatest Hyundai A-League finals win, Sydney’s five-goal success the second biggest behind Victory’s thrashing of Adelaide United in the 2007 decider.
Adam Le Fondre scored a brace for the Sky Blues to go with strikes from Aaron Calver, Alex Brosque and Milos Ninkovic and a Leigh Broxham own goal.
It handed Victory their first finals loss in regular time since 2016.
