Izzo the hero as Victory beat City in ALM classic

Goalie Paul Izzo is swamped by Victory teammates after his penalty shootout heroics against City. (Will Murray/AAP PHOTOS)

Paul Izzo has inspired Melbourne Victory to one of the greatest-ever A-League Men escapes as they rose from the ashes to beat Melbourne City on penalties and advance into a semi-final showdown with Wellington. 

Goalkeeper Izzo saved three City penalties and scored one himself to secure his side's dramatic elimination final win, with Victory prevailing 3-2 in the shoot-out after scores were level 1-1 after extra time.

He was mobbed by teammates as the Victory contingent of the 21,358 in attendance at AAMI Park on Sunday night exploded into raptures after he denied James Jeggo’s penalty to win it. 

The 28-year-old had previously saved efforts from Terry Antonis and Callum Talbot, with Roderick Miranda and Damien Da Silva also converting their spot kicks for Victory and sparing the retiring Leigh Broxham any blushes for missing his attempt.

Izzo
Paul Izzo scores with his penalty attempt in the shootout.

Even before the kicks were taken Izzo had done his bit to ensure his side would have the edge, hurling away City keeper Jamie Young’s notes on Victory’s potential penalty takers.

“A bottle may have got launched into the crowd,” he laughed to reporters post-game.

“I even checked his towel and he had paper in there as well, so lucky I found that too. “I mean, it's just part of the game. It is what it is. I'm sure he would have done the same.”

Tony Popovic's side will now host the Phoenix in the first of a two-legged header at AAMI Park next Sunday evening, with Sydney FC to host the Central Coast Mariners on Friday evening. 

Leading after Samuel Souprayen’s 29th-minute header and Victory not producing a shot on target since the 37th-minute dismissal of Zinedine Machach, City spent much of the game laying siege to the Victory penalty area and should have had the game wrapped up well inside regular time.

But with his side somehow still alive, a desperate ball lofted down the left by Victory skipper Miranda found the run of Kasey Bos, with the younger brother of former City standout Jordy sending in a cross that found an open Nishan Velupillay for an 87th minute equaliser.

City had previously had a 17th-minute Tolgay Arslan penalty saved by Izzo and used their one-player advantage to outshoot Victory 22 shots to nine during regular time but, instead, were now being forced to extra time.

“The game should have been done,” said City interim coach Aurelio Vidmar, who confirmed post-game that talks were underway for his return next season.

“Everyone always [asks] why can't you just absolutely smash teams when they go down to 10 men, but the reality is you lose discipline, if you lose structure, then you're going to lose a battle.

“And we did for periods of that second half.”

Arslan
Izzo saves a penalty from Tolgay Arslan in the first half.

City renewed pressure across the added football, but Victory was able to hold out, Izzo ending the 120 minutes by saving eight of City's 30 total attempts and ensuring the game went to a shootout where he could emerge as a hero.

“The players were amazing,” said Popovic.

“The young players who came on all made an impact, and the leaders all stood up in a big game. Very proud of the group.”

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store