Sydney FC Beat Newcastle Jets on Penalties to Reach A-League Grand Final

Sydney fc hold nerve in shootout to set up grand final vs Auckland FC

Newcastle’s shot at a historic ‘triple crown’ ended after they missed out on the Grand Final despite winning the Premiers’ Plate and Australia Cup.

Ben Garuccio scored the winning penalty to send Sydney through to their bid for a record sixth A-League title...

Sydney FC booked their spot in the A-League Grand Final after beating Newcastle Jets 4-2 on penalties on Saturday. The shootout came after the second-leg semi-final finished 1-1, making it 2-2 on aggregate.

Ben Garuccio converted the decisive penalty after Sydney keeper Harrison Devenish-Meares denied Xavier Bertoncello. The miss left a packed McDonald Jones Stadium stunned.

Under Patrick Kisnorbo, Sydney will now face Auckland FC for a chance at a record sixth league title. The Sky Blues had drawn 1-1 with the Jets at home in the first leg.

Sydney had a golden chance to end it late in extra time when Alexandar Popovic met a corner unmarked, but he headed it straight at Delianov from close range.

Delianov kept Newcastle in it during the shootout too, pulling off an acrobatic save to stop Joe Lolley’s opening penalty.

Devenish-Meares matched him straight away, diving to deny Newcastle captain Kosta Grozos with Sydney’s next kick. After also saving Bertoncello’s effort, he set up Ben Garuccio to seal it and send Sydney through to face Auckland for the title next week.

“I kind of had my spot, I was ‌confident with it,” said Garuccio of his winner.

“It worked out. The boys were so good.

“I think (Devenish-Meares) has been the best keeper in the league by a country mile.”

Piero Quispe gave Sydney the lead in the 64th minute, and the visitors held on grimly. They were seconds from sealing it when Newcastle winger Eli Adams struck a dramatic equalizer in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Newcastle had already claimed the Australia Cup in the off-season and the Premiers’ Plate for finishing top of the table during the regular season.

That left them chasing a historic “triple crown,” but their run fell one trophy short.

“We've had ⁠so many amazing memories this year. Football can be cruel at times but I'm just so incredibly proud of what this team has done together - along with the fans,” said Newcastle playmaker Max Burgess.

It was an end-to-end, high-tempo battle with neither side breaking through until Sydney striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos tore down the right flank and whipped in a cross for 16-year-old Akol Akon.

yep pic.twitter.com/r5ZU4DhhE4

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) May 16, 2026

Akon’s shot was saved by Delianov, but Piero Quispe reacted quickest to the rebound and slotted it home.

 

Newcastle threw everything at the Sydney goal looking for an equalizer but kept getting denied.

Right as full-time approached, Daniel Wilmering drilled a low cross into the box where Eli Adams met it with a volley. The goal forced extra time and sent the Newcastle fans into wild celebrations.