Melbourne City’s thrilling AFC final ends in heartbreak as they lose to Wuhan Jiangda in penalties after a disallowed goal.

Melbourne City faced a gut-wrenching defeat in the AFC Women’s Champions League final against Wuhan Jiangda, ending the match in a dramatic 1-1 draw before succumbing 5-4 in a penalty shootout. The Australian side showcased their prowess with a commanding performance, highlighted by Shelby McMahon`s second-half goal that initially put them ahead.

However, the tide turned in stoppage time when Bryleeh Henry appeared to have sealed victory with a late goal, only for it to be disallowed after a VAR review. This controversial decision led to a free kick for Wuhan Jiangda, who capitalized on the moment by converting a penalty, forcing the match into extra time. Despite several near misses in the dying moments, Melbourne City could not find the back of the net again, leaving them to face the agony of penalties in front of a fervent home crowd.

Starting players for Melbourne City included Holly McNamara, Leah Davidson, and Karly Roestbakken, while Laura Hughes remained an unused substitute due to illness. This heart-wrenching loss, while disappointing, places Australia at the top of the AFC Women’s Club Competition rankings for the 2024/25 season, underscoring the growing strength of Australian women`s soccer on the international stage.

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