Juan Mata scored a free-kick goal for Melbourne Victory in a 2-2 draw with Sydney FC on Saturday in Australia. The goal was scored in the 34th minute. Charles Nduka also scored for Melbourne Victory. Melbourne Victory led 2-0 in the match. Sydney FC responded with goals from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Ahmet Arslan. The match ended in a 2-2 draw at Allianz Stadium. The exact date of the match has not been reported by sources.
Bruno Fernandes posted a video on Instagram of himself watching Mata's goal, accompanied by Harry Maguire. The caption on Fernandes' video read: 'We just knew it that from right there he doesn’t miss right [Harry Maguire]?' Juan Mata said: 'Yeah, well, I love them and I’m happy they follow the A-League, they follow our games. And I hope that in the next game Bruno can score a similar goal.' Juan Mata and Bruno Fernandes were teammates at Manchester United before Mata left in summer 2022 as a free agent.
After leaving Manchester United, Juan Mata joined Galatasaray. Juan Mata later played for Vissel Kobe in Japan before moving to Australia to join Western Sydney Wanderers in 2024. Juan Mata switched to Melbourne Victory last year. The current status of Juan Mata's contract with Melbourne Victory is unknown.
The draw leaves Melbourne Victory in fifth place in the A-League table, four points behind third-placed Sydney FC. Newcastle Jets currently lead the A-League table, 11 points ahead of Melbourne Victory. Juan Mata said: 'When you are winning 2-0 away at Sydney FC, you feel that you are very close to winning a very important game. Unfortunately, we had five or 10 minutes of madness where they scored two and probably were on top and could have scored one or two more goals. But at least we took a point, but it’s bittersweet because when you’re winning 2-0 and not so long to go, you feel that you are close to winning.' How many goals Juan Mata has scored in the A-League this season remains unclear.