Former Manchester United star Juan Mata scored a stunning free-kick for Melbourne Victory in their 2-2 draw with Sydney FC in the A-League
Juan Mata of the Melbourne Victory
Juan Mata scored a free-kick in Melbourne Victory's draw with Sydney FC(Image: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
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Juan Mata has urged his ex-Manchester United colleague Bruno Fernandes to emulate his spectacular free-kick from his recent A-League match.
Mata contributed to Melbourne Victory securing a draw in a 2-2 stalemate with Sydney FC on Saturday in Australia, scoring with a free-kick in the 34th minute.
Charles Nduka also found the back of the net for Victory, providing the visitors with a 2-0 advantage in Sydney.
The hosts responded with goals from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Ahmet Arslan, resulting in the points being shared at the Allianz Stadium.
Mata opened the scoring with an exquisite free-kick, and it appears some former United teammates were observing the ex-Reds star's performance in Australia.
Fernandes shared a video on his Instagram story of himself watching Mata score for Victory, joined by United teammate Harry Maguire, who participated in the celebrations.
The caption on Fernandes' video read: "We just knew it that from right there he doesn't miss right [Harry Maguire]?"
Post-match, Mata was quizzed about Fernandes' post following the final whistle in Victory's draw with Sydney, and the former United star went on to issue a challenge to his old teammate.
"Yeah, well, I love them and I'm happy they follow the A-League, they follow our games," Mata told the A-League official account. "And I hope that in the next game Bruno can score a similar goal."
Fernandes and Mata were colleagues at United before the Spanish player departed Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 on a free transfer, subsequently signing with Galatasaray.
Juan Mata of Melbourne Victory
Juan Mata left Manchester United in 2022(Image: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
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Following a stint in Japan with Vissel Kobe, Mata moved to Australia to join Western Sydney Wanderers in 2024 and then transferred to Melbourne last year.
The draw leaves Victory sitting fifth in the A-League standings, trailing third-placed Sydney FC by four points, whilst Newcastle Jets currently top the table, 11 points clear of Melbourne.
"When you are winning 2-0 away at Sydney FC, you feel that you are very close to winning a very important game," Mata said.
"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."