Sports · Football · 19 hrs ago
South Melbourne beats Melbourne Victory on penalties to win Australia Cup
South Melbourne beat Melbourne Victory in the Australia Cup final at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
The teams were level after 90 minutes, and the match ended 1-1 after extra time.
Victory took the lead in the 95th minute, but Max Mikkola equalised in the 117th.
South Melbourne then won the penalty shootout 4-3, with goalkeeper Javier Lopez saving two attempts by Harrison Sawyer, including a retake.
The win made South Melbourne the first team from the NPL to claim the cup.
The club has long sought a place in the A-League, and the result strengthens its bid; it also technically gives South a place in next season’s Asian Champions League 2.
Melbourne Victory’s last trophy was the 2021 Australia Cup.
South Melbourne beat Melbourne Victory 4-3 on penalties to win the Australia Cup final.
The teams were tied 1-1 after extra time, after Denis Genreau put Victory ahead and Max Mikkola equalised in the 117th minute.
South Melbourne became the first National Premier Leagues team to win the Australia Cup.
Goalkeeper Javier Lopez saved two attempts by Harrison Sawyer, including a retaken penalty, and won the Mark Viduka Medal as player of the match.
The final was played before a sellout crowd of 29,911 at AAMI Park.
- Who
- South Melbourne beat Melbourne Victory in the final.
- What
- South Melbourne won the Australia Cup 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time.
- When
- 11 October 2026.
- Where
- AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia.
- Why
- The teams played the Australia Cup final; the sources do not state a further reason for the match.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I really cannot find any excuse not to see this club play in the A-League
Now we are the champions.
You guys have stuck with us for 20 years, playing in the NPL and you've shown tonight what this future holds for this great club
Denis Genreau scored to put Melbourne Victory ahead.
Max Mikkola equalised for South Melbourne, sending the match to a penalty shootout.
South Melbourne won the shootout 4-3 to claim the Australia Cup.
- Final score
- South Melbourne won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw
- Venue
- AAMI Park
- Attendance
- 29,911
- South Melbourne milestone
- First NPL team to win the Australia Cup
- Equaliser
- Max Mikkola, 117th minute
- Winner's goalkeeper
- Javier Lopez, Mark Viduka Medal winner
Sources
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