Wellington Phoenix overcome lightning strike, penalty shootout for Australia Cup win in Perth

Players line up as the penalty shootout takes place during the Australia Cup 2025 Round of 32 match between the Perth Glory and the Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images

The Wellington Phoenix survived a lightning strike and a dramatic penalty shootout to progress to the last 16 of the Australia Cup.

Academy graduate Lukas Kelly-Heald scored the decisive spot kick as the Phoenix beat the Perth Glory 8-7 in the shootout, played in driving rain at the Olympic Stadium in Perth.

The Round of 32 tie had finished level at 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, which was interrupted for more than half an hour due to lightning.

Kelly-Heald earlier scored his first competitive goal for the club to put the Nix in front at halftime before Socceroos striker Adam Taggart drew the Glory level in the 89th minute to force an additional 30 minutes.

Neither team were able to break the deadlock in extra time, sending the tie to penalties. Perth had a chance to win the shootout 5-3 but spurned their fifth spot kick and reserves midfielder Lachlan Candy then converted his to take it to sudden death.

The Glory sent their ninth penalty over the bar, but Kelly-Heald made no mistake of his kick to seal the win for Wellington and spark wild celebrations.

However, Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano missed Kelly-Heald’s decisive spot kick, but not his maiden goal for the Phoenix.

“I don’t watch penalties so I’ve got to watch the replay and see his finish. I heard there were some good penalties.

“He put in a great stint. There was talk about taking him off in extra time but he just trooped through.

Italiano named the same XI who started last week’s match against Wrexham AFC.

Auckland FC play their Round of 32 game on Tuesday against the Gold Coast Knights.