Melbourne Victory beat Perth Glory 2-1 in a thrilling A-League Men’s Matchday 11 clash at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on January 2, 2026. Victory secured a crucial victory with goals from Louis D’Arrigo And Nishan Velupillaywhile Perth opened the scoring thanks to Trent Ostler.
đ„ Quick facts
- Final score: Melbourne wins 2-1 Perth Glory on matchday 11
- Match date: January 2, 2026 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
- Scorers: DâArrigo (45+5âČ), Velupillay (53âČ) for the Victory; Ostler (12âČ) for Perth
- Possession: Melbourne dominated with 62.7% possession against Perth’s 37.3%
Victory Open 2026 with Commander Display
Melbourne victory started their New Year’s campaign on a winning note against Glory of Perth has AAMI Park. The hosts controlled much of the match, recording 12 shots compared to that of Perth 6 attempts. Victory’s superior possession and attacking intent set the tone from the start.
Although Perth drew first blood Trent Ostler Goal from the start in the 12th minute, Victory refused to panic. The team’s resilience and quality on the ball allowed them to dominate the competition and secure victory with clinical finishing.
D’Arrigo and Velupillay combine for victory
Louis D’Arrigo delivered a crucial response just before halftime with a goal in the 45th minute plus 5 seconds of stoppage time, leveling the match. His performance throughout the match underlined his importance to Victory’s midfield, demonstrating his technical quality and composure under pressure.
Nishan Velupillay added the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute after an excellent start to the calendar year. The Victory striker’s clinical finish secured all three points for the home side in what proved to be a decisive moment in the competition.
| Team | Goals | Gunshots | Possession |
| Melbourne victory | 2 | 12 | 62.7% |
| Glory of Perth | 1 | 6 | 37.3% |
Perth Glory’s early pressure fades
Trent Ostler first goal given Glory of Perth the initial momentum of the competition. The 12th minute goal seemed to reward Perth’s attacking intent early in the game. However, Victory’s quality finally showed as the home side staged a spirited comeback.
Perth only managed 2 shots on target throughout the match despite their brilliant opening. This statistic highlighted the vast gap in execution between the parties. Victory’s dominance prevented Glory from generating any significant scoring opportunities after their early breakthrough.
What this win means for Melbourne’s season
Round 11 victory moved Melbourne victory within striking distance of the upper reaches of the League A ladder. Victory is now with 14 points of their opening matches of the 2025-26 season. This positive start to 2026 suggests the team’s form is building at a crucial stage.
As the final stages of the regular season approach, this result gives real momentum to the club. Victory’s ability to overcome an early deficit while dominating possession statistics demonstrates tactical improvement under current conditions. This victory sets the stage for an intriguing race as the season unfolds.
Sources
- ESPN â Live match coverage with final score and detailed statistics
- BBC Sport â Match report with goal times and key moments
- A-Leagues official website â Official information and classification of the matches of the 11th day
Michael Brown is a veteran sports journalist with years of experience covering professional athletics and sports culture. With a keen eye for breaking news and player dynamics, this seasoned journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights into the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action on and off the field.
