Melbourne Victory have handed the Wellington Phoenix their heaviest defeat of the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League.
The Phoenix have been beaten 5-1 by the Victory in their final match of 2025 at AAMI Park in Melbourne, after trailing 2-1 at halftime.
Ramy Najjarine drew the Nix level midway through the first half but the hosts scored goals either side of the interval to take a two goal lead.
The Victory extended their advantage before the hour mark and added a fifth goal in the 90th minute.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano didn’t mince his words post-match when he spoke about his side’s defending.
“I had a quick look at the goals that we conceded and I think every goal was preventable,” Italiano told media.
“The first goal was taken well. It was a good header but just sloppy second phase awareness for the first two goals.
“And then the third, fourth and fifth goals were for me comical. Especially coming out at halftime, the lack of pressure on the ball, being aware of where their dangers were and we weren’t protecting the space like we’d spoken about.
“And just the timing of the goals like straight after halftime to make it 3-1.
“Uncharacteristic goals…and we should have managed defensively a lot better.”
The result drops the Phoenix to 10th on the ladder and three points outside the top six.
Italiano believes it was an “off day” for his side and they can still turnaround their fortunes.
“Simply it comes down to focus for 90 minutes and nothing else.
“We’re in most games for a large part. Tonight…was probably the first game that got away from us very early.
“It’s just staying in those moments and making sure that we don’t make basic errors and mistakes and there’s a lack of application.
“If we can eliminate that then we can still achieve good things this season.”
Giancarlo Italiano made one enforced change to the starting XI with 18-year-old goalkeeper Eamonn McCarron named to make his A-League starting debut in place of Josh Oluwayemi, who suffered an injury early in the 3-1 win over Central Coast prior to Christmas. Alby Kelly-Heald, Xuan Loke and reserve team fullback Ryan Lee were promoted to the bench.
The Phoenix made a bright start and earned two corners in the opening two minutes. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to test Victory ‘keeper Jack Duncan from either.
However, Corban Piper called Duncan into action in the fifth minute when Piper got on the end of a ball over the top from Alex Rufer. Duncan made a relatively straightforward save to his left to keep out Piper’s effort.
The Nix found themselves a goal down just two minutes later when Nikos Vergos headed home a right-wing cross from inside the six yard box.
Piper headed a left-wing cross from Lukas Kelly-Heald over the Victory bar soon after.
The goalmouth action quietened down until shortly before the half hour mark when the ball broke to Kazuki Nagasawa in the penalty area. Nagasawa attempted a cutback rather than unleashing a shot from a tight angle and it was well defended by the hosts.
Moments later Najjarine drew Wellington level when he pounced on a mistake from Victory fullback Jason Davidson at the top of the box and calmly slotted his shot inside the right-hand post.
The hosts flashed a couple of shots wide of target soon after the hydration break and Vergos had his second in the 42nd minute when he met a deep right-wing cross with a thumping header that picked out the top corner.
McCarron denied Vergos a first half hat-trick in the third minute of stoppage time, making a good reflex save with his left leg to ensure the Phoenix went into halftime just a goal down.
Vergos completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half, sweeping home from the top of the box after the ball deflected his way.
Najjarine curled a shot high and wide in the 51st minute following the Nix’s first meaningful spell of possession after halftime.
Piper was seemingly brought down in the Victory penalty area soon after but referee Shaun Evans waved the penalty claims away. The Video Assistant Referee upheld the decision.
Moments later the hosts extended their lead with Clerismario Santos slotting home after Wellington coughed up possession in midfield.
Italiano made a double substitution after falling three goals behind, bringing on Fin Roa Conchie and Luke Brooke-Smith for Carlo Armiento and Nagasawa respectively.
He was forced to make another change soon after when Rufer went down with a groin injury and was replaced by Paulo Retre.
Najjarine dragged a shot narrowly wide before Santos had the ball in the back of the net for a second time in the 65th minute, but after a long look from the VAR it was ruled out for offside.
The Phoenix continued to press for a goal and a way back into the match but were ultimately unable to find it.
Victory substitute Keegan Jelacic completed the scoring in the 90th minute with a goal against the run of play as the Nix pushed numbers forward.
Wellington kept trying and Isaac Hughes headed a right-wing free kick narrowly wide of goal and just out of reach of Brooke-Smith in the sixth and final minute of second half stoppage time.
The Wellington Phoenix will have little time to dwell on the defeat as they will travel to Brisbane tomorrow to prepare for Saturday’s match against the Roar.
Wellington Phoenix: 40. Eamonn MCCARRON (gk), 3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO (5. Fin ROA CONCHIE 57th), 14. Alex RUFER (c) (8. Paulo RETRE 64th), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA (29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH 57th), 27. Matthew SHERIDAN.
Unused substitutes: 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 24. Xuan LOKE, 31. Ryan LEE, 37. Anaru CASSIDY.
Melbourne Victory: 25. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 2. Jason DAVIDSON (3. Adama TRAORE 82nd), 8. Jordi VALADON, 9. Nikos VERGOS, 11. Clerismario SANTOS (19. Jing REEC 82nd), 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY (14. Matthew GRIMALDI 57th), 21. Roderick MIRANDA (c), 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO (23. Keegan JELACIC 67th), 64. Juan MATA (10. Denis GENREAU 67th).
Unused substitutes: 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY (gk), 16. Joshua INSERRA.
Goals:
9. Nikos VERGOS (Melbourne Victory) – 7th, 42nd & 47th
20. Ramy NAJJARINE (Wellington Phoenix) – 29th
11. Clerismario SANTOS (Melbourne Victory) – 54th
23. Keegan JELACIC (Melbourne Victory) – 90th
Cards:
4. Manjrekar JAMES (Wellington Phoenix) – yellow – 45+1
3. Adama TRAORE (Melbourne Victory) – yellow – 90+4
