Matt Grimaldi’s stunning finish in stoppage time has plundered all three points for Melbourne Victory in a Christmas Derby that had looked destined to be a 0-0 draw at AAMI Park.
Both teams threw everything they had at each other, but Grimaldi’s 25 metre laser finish ultimately separated the two sides in Victory’s first taste of Derby success since October 2024.
The decisive moment came when Juan Mata — again excellent in a typically cerebral display — took a quick short corner to Denis Genreau, which he dutifully shuffled to Grimaldi to arrow past the otherwise impenetrable Patrick Beach from well outside the box.
Grimaldi’s moment will be memorable for him for many reasons, not least of all because it was for his boyhood club and because it took place in front of Australian football royalty.
City made the early running, with Andreas Kuen, Elbasan Rashani and Max Caputo slicing and dicing the Victory defence down the left.
Victory also found joy on their own left hand side however, with Clerismario Santos regularly finding his way through City’s defence with piercing runs.
City had the two best chances in regulation time, with Caputo hitting the bar in the 30th minute after getting in behind the Victory defence – although he was flagged offside, it would likely have been allowed by VAR if the goal had gone in.
Medin Memeti nearly got City the first goal in the 80th minute, drawing a brilliant reflex save from Victory custodian Jack Duncan from close range from a quality Takeshi Kanamori corner.
But it was Grimaldi whose moment of individual quality ultimately settled the fixture in Victory’s favour for the first time in the last five attempts.
The win lifts Victory off the bottom of the Isuzu UTE A-League table and into 7th place, with their next fixture against Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on the 29th of December.
Meanwhile City — who have one and two goals win in their last four Isuzu UTE A-League games — play Perth Glory the night before.
ALEX TOBIN MEDAL VOTES:
3. Jack Duncan
2. Andreas Kuen
1. Matt Grimaldi
