BEN Garuccio’s incredible scorpion-kick goal has stolen the show and gone viral as Western United beat Western Sydney 3-2 to leap back to the top of the A-League Men table.<\/p>\n
Garuccio’s delightful 68th-minute finish when he met Aleksandar Prijovic’s outside-of-the-boot chip with an instinctive diving scorpion kick into the bottom corner,<\/p>\n
The spectacular marker followed an earlier 45th-minute strike for the full-back, who previously hadn’t scored in the ALM since 2018.<\/p>\n
It was reminiscent of Riley McGree’s instinctive scorpion goal in a semi-final for Newcastle against Melbourne City in 2018 that was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award.<\/p>\n
“I did mean it. But could I do it again in one thousand goes? Probably not,” Garuccio said.<\/p>\n
“I did it at training a few weeks ago and I face-planted so I suppose it’s just one of those, it’s probably one in one thousand.<\/p>\n
“I saw Prijovic get the ball and I saw both the defenders go out and I thought ‘I’ll try make the run’ and to be fair, unbelievable ball.<\/p>\n
“I threw my leg at it, I tried to watch it the best I could and I looked up and I was in the net.<\/p>\n
“I couldn’t concentrate for the rest of the game, I was daydreaming, honestly.”<\/p>\n
Garuccio joked he’d frame his left boot, but then said he’d have to wear them again in the next game.<\/p>\n
United striker Prijovic delivered both assists and also scored a lovely chip for the opener in the 27th-minute in a masterful performance up front.<\/p>\n
“That was Prijovic’s best game,” coach John Aloisi said.<\/p>\n
“He held up the ball well, we supported him, we know where he’s threatening and what he can do and he scored a goal, set up two and probably could’ve had another one or two.”<\/p>\n
Wanderers coach Mark Rudan responded to his side’s dismal first half by hooking big names Dimi Petratos and Terry Antonis, while Rodwell made way with a hamstring complaint.<\/p>\n
Ziggy Gordon, Ramy Najjarine and Steven Ugarkovic entered the fray and five minutes later the Wanderers earned a penalty when Najjarine’s cross flicked Tomoki Imai’s trailing arm.<\/p>\n
Hemed buried the spot-kick in the 51st minute to bring the game back to life, but Aloisi delighted in how United responded, delivering Garuccio’s wonder goal to ensure they wrapped up three points.<\/p>\n
Steven Ugarkovic lashed a lovely 85th-minute strike into the bottom corner to set up a lively finish but the Wanderers were unable to snare an equaliser.<\/p>\n
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