Marco Jankovic worldie caps crazy South Melbourne Australia Cup comeback win

It’s the match-winning goal that’s gone viral worldwide. Marco Jankovic’s jaw-dropping 40m free-kick capped South Melbourne’s Australia Cup victory.

Marco Jankovic scores for South Melbourne. Picture: Kelly Defina

It’s been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on social media.

Marco Jankovic’s jaw-dropping free-kick went viral on Sunday night as it sealed South Melbourne’s equally memorable comeback victory over Brisbane Olympic in the Australia Cup.

The star defender launched an audacious shot from 40m out, catching Olympic keeper Matt Lugo out of position, and into the back of the net.

The Australia Cup account labelled it a potential Puskas Award nominee, which honours the best goals of the year worldwide.

The man himself saw the chance and let fly.

A Puskas Award nominee in the #AustraliaCup?! 🚀

Marko Jankovic’s free kick from near halfway puts South Melbourne ahead in extra time!#MagicOfTheCuppic.twitter.com/RcNV9giRUw

— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 25, 2024

“It was pretty special, the occasion was massive,” Jankovic told club media.

“I had a similar one in the first half, and was thinking to myself I should shoot.

“The keeper was off his line, it was windy and I just backed myself to have a crack.

“No matter what you do (coach) Esteban (Quintas) is always angry so I thought it was worth a try.”

It capped a remarkable finish to the Round of 16 tie at Lakeside Stadium.

Trailing 2-1, Hellas captain Harrison Sawyer missed a penalty in the 85th minute.

Just as it looked like its Cup run was ending, a piece of Jordan Lampard magic set up Ross Archibald for a dramatic, 90th-minute equaliser to force over-time.

Jankovic then stepped up in the first minute to snatch a 3-2 triumph and secure a quarter-final berth.

“We always had belief we would get a goal towards the end,” Jankovic said.

“The first half, albeit with the break in play, it wasn’t us, the attitude wasn’t there and they deservedly got two goals.

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“The second half was completely dominated them and created chance after chance and – missing a pen – we kept going and got the equaliser in the end.

“We keep going, we want to make history this year.

“We’re an ambitious group and it’s going to take a lot to stop us.”

South Melbourne now prepares for a NPL Victoria semi-final against Hume City on Friday night at Lakeside Stadium with a grand final berth up for grabs.