Melbourne City 0-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
Alice de Koster-Kitto 4/2/2026
Above: The Wanderers celebrate their goal against Melbourne City. Photo: Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers have caused upset at ctrl:Cyber pitch this evening, defeating Melbourne City 1-0. While the two sides sat completely opposite ends of the ladder, with City at the top and Wanderers at the bottom, it was the visitors who entered the pitch in better form, coming off a historic Sydney Derby win. It may have been an own goal that awarded the Wanderers the first and only goal of the match, but their ability to hold off the defending premiers was commendable.
Melbourne City presented immediate danger, with an early effort from Shelby McMahon inside the box. The match was a first against last on the table battle, although the two sides were fairly even within the first few minutes of play.
Malena Mieres punched away a Talia Younis shot, which served as the first chance for the Wanderers. Younis quickly followed up with another effort from outside the box, which was collected by Mieres.
Despite the table context, Wanderers did well in holding off City and creating chances, while only holding 30% of the possession. While Melbourne City held onto the ball, they weren’t able to capitalise on it early on.
Aideen Keane played the ball to Uchendu, who then took the shot towards goal. The ball was sent away, and Uchendu argued that it may have been a handball, although it wasn’t called.
While City continued to hold possession throughout the first half, and appeared the more dominant side across most areas, it seemed that if a goal was to come, it would be from the Wanderers, as Younis was able to make continual attempts.
Ella Buchanan broke into space before being blocked by Turner, as the game seemed to be moving in favour of the visitors.
Melbourne City were awarded a free kick, taken by Alexia Apostolakis, after a collision between Keane and Buchanan. The ball was well defended, as City were still not able to find an opportunity to take a shot.
The scoreline was opened for Western Sydney Wanderers in the 35th minute. Despite their efforts, it was an own goal that earned them the lead, when a Talia Younis corner deflected off of Aideen Keane, who sent the ball over the line.
As halftime approached, City looked desperately for an equaliser, as Bryleeh Henry sent the ball to Uchendu inside the box, but the effort could not be converted into a real chance.
Western Sydney held onto the lead expertly as no second goal was to be found at the halftime whistle.
Melbourne City made two halftime substitutions in an effort to find an equaliser, with golden boot race leader Holly Mcnamara comin gon in place of Keane, and Leticia McKenna for Shelby McMahon.
Rebekah Stott made an excellent shot from distance, which rippled off the outside of the net, and looked for a moment as if it might have gone in.
An excellent Apostolakis corner was punched away from goal by Khamis. Khamis made another impressive save shortly after, following a Turner corner.
The speed of Holly McNamara got the ball into a dangerous area, despite efforts from Poppie Hooks, who attempted to hold her off. McNamaras cross could not find a blue shirt in time. The effort, however, exposed disorganisation in the Wanderers defence, as a City equaliser seemed increasingly likely.
City managed to capitalise on their possession, more so than in the first half; however, they continued to be blocked by Wanderers defence. A free kick from McKenna looked to find a goal for City, but the ball was sent too high, dropping into the hands of Khamis.
Karly Rostebakken got dangerously close to a late equaliser for City after Khamis missed a long ball. It was ultimately too high, and the goal was not to be found.
After 6 minutes of added time, neither side was able to find the back of the net, and the Wanderers took home the 3 points.
As stoppage time approached, it seemed that the score would remain the same, as Wanderers didn’t manage to make any significant forward efforts, but still managed to hold off City
The win marks Western Sydney Wanderers’ 3rd in a row, and has lifted them off the bottom of the table. For City, it marks their 2nd consecutive loss, after being defeated by Adelaide United last round.
Both Wanderers and City will host their upcoming matches this Sunday, with Western Sydney taking on Adelaide United at CommBank Stadium, as Melbourne City head back to ctrl:cyber Pitch, to face Brisbane Roar.
MELBOURNE CITY (4-4-2): Mieres, Roestbakken, Otto, Stott, Turner, McMahon, Apostolakis, Jackson, Henry, Keane, Uchendu. Substitutes: Karic, Jugovic, Barbieri, Wilson, McNamara, McKenns
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (3-4-3): Khamis, Ying, Harrison, Hooks, Matos, Harada, Chessari, Buchanan, Ng-Saad, Cong, Younis. Substitutes: Fazzari, Rue, Cerne, Edwards, Barker, Bennett
Goals: Aideen Keane (OG) 35’
Referee: Caitlin Williams
Attendance: TBC
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