Melbourne Victory finally have their derby moment again — and it came in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
In front of a glittering audience of football royalty, Matt Grimaldi etched his name into Melbourne derby folklore with a stunning 91st-minute winner that delivered Victory a pulsating 1-0 triumph over arch-rivals Melbourne City at AAMI Park. The late strike not only ignited euphoric scenes among the Victory faithful, but also ended a long wait, securing the club’s first derby victory since October 2024.
The atmosphere was already electric on Saturday night, fuelled by a fierce contest between two evenly matched rivals and amplified by the presence of some of the biggest names in Australian and global football. But it was Grimaldi — a young attacker whose journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward — who ultimately seized the spotlight.
A Moment of Magic When It Mattered Most
With the clock ticking deep into stoppage time and both sides seemingly destined to settle for a point, Melbourne Victory found one final surge. Juan Mata, the Spanish World Cup and Champions League winner, had been probing tirelessly all evening, and his experience proved decisive in the dying seconds.
Mata’s deflected effort earned Victory a late corner. Sensing opportunity, the veteran wasted no time. He took the set-piece quickly, played it short to Denis Genreau, and continued his movement as Victory shifted City’s defensive structure just enough to create space.
Genreau calmly worked the ball to Grimaldi at the edge of the area. The 21-year-old took two composed touches before unleashing a low, skidding left-footed strike that arrowed inside the near post, finally beating an otherwise outstanding Patrick Beach.
AAMI Park erupted.
For Grimaldi, the moment felt almost surreal.
"Unbelievable. Honestly, I can't even remember the ball hitting the net. It's still a bit of a blur," Grimaldi said.
"I've grown up supporting this club and didn't get to play for their academy and go through the ranks.
"I ended up at City and Western now it's a full circle moment, and I get to score in a derby. I'm just absolutely buzzing."
A Full-Circle Journey Completed
Grimaldi’s story added a layer of emotion to an already unforgettable night. Having once been overlooked by Victory’s academy system, he developed his game through Melbourne City and later Western United. When Western entered a period of hibernation, Grimaldi joined Victory late in pre-season — a move that now feels inspired.
Saturday night was not just a winning goal; it was validation. Against the club he once represented, in front of the supporters he grew up idolising, Grimaldi delivered when it mattered most.
Mata’s Instincts and Diles’ Praise
Victory coach Arthur Diles was quick to credit the instincts of Mata, whose sharp thinking in the decisive moment epitomised his elite football intelligence.
"He's gone over there quickly to take it. He can smell it. He can feel it," he said.
"And then Matty does his business, which was a fantastic strike."
The win marked Victory’s second consecutive victory, lifting them to seventh on the ladder and injecting renewed belief into their campaign as the season gathers momentum.
Star-Studded Crowd Watches On
The drama unfolded under the watchful eyes of some of the most influential figures in Australian football. Former Victory coaches Ange Postecoglou and Kevin Muscat headlined an extraordinary guest list.
Postecoglou, now renowned for his stints with Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, and Muscat, currently coaching Shanghai Port, were both present for the feisty encounter. Alongside them were former Socceroos defender Craig Moore, Victory legend Besart Berisha, Socceroos assistant coach Hayden Foxe, and Matildas coach Joe Montemurro.
Adding further prestige, Brighton & Hove Albion owner and Victory part-owner Tony Bloom was in attendance, as was Hollywood star Gerard Butler.
Postecoglou and Muscat later visited the Victory change rooms, though Grimaldi narrowly missed meeting the club icons due to celebrations with fans.
"I just missed Ange, so I'm gutted, but it's pretty cool to know he was here watching," Grimaldi said.
Diles reflected on the significance of their presence.
"They're incredible human beings. They're fantastic coaches, and they've represented this club and been very successful with this club.
"So just to have them in our change rooms and in our presence is fantastic for our club, fantastic for me and my staff, and hopefully the players appreciate that as well."
Goalkeepers Take Centre Stage
While Grimaldi grabbed the headlines, both goalkeepers produced performances of exceptional quality.
Melbourne City’s Patrick Beach, recently capped as a Socceroo, was outstanding, making a series of crucial saves that kept City alive until the very end. At the other end, Victory veteran Jack Duncan rolled back the years with a masterclass in shot-stopping.
Victory striker Nikos Vergos had golden opportunities early, spurning chances in the 12th and 15th minutes. City gradually grew into the contest, and on the half-hour mark, Duncan brilliantly deflected Max Caputo’s effort onto the crossbar — though the offside flag eventually followed.
The second half was equally intense. Beach denied Vergos with a spectacular one-handed save in the 55th minute, while Caputo rattled the crossbar with a header just four minutes later. Duncan then produced a remarkable reflex body save to repel Medin Memeti’s header in the 80th minute, setting the stage for Grimaldi’s late heroics.
City Left to Regroup
For Melbourne City, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow after a performance that easily could have earned a result. Coach Aurelio Vidmar acknowledged the fine margins.
"It was probably one of those games that probably could have gone either way - and unfortunately for us, it went the wrong way," coach Aurelio Vidmar said.
"We have to suck it up - that's how it is and got to move forward.
"Don't have much time now. We've got another game on Tuesday against Macarthur. So lick the wounds and move on."
City now turn their attention to hosting Macarthur FC on Tuesday, while Victory enjoy a longer break before welcoming Wellington Phoenix on December 29.
For Melbourne Victory fans, though, this night will linger far longer — a derby won at the death, a homegrown fan turned hero, and a reminder that in football, the biggest moments often belong to those who wait the longest.
