South London arrived in Sydney with a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg, but the Australians were determined to turn the tide on home soil.

From the outset, Bondi FC took the game to their opponents. The early exchanges saw Bondi’s Juozas Butkus rattle the woodwork with a thunderous effort just two minutes in, a strike that could have dramatically altered the tie. Butkus seemed to be a man on a mission, testing South London’s defence repeatedly. Charlie Baker-Jones also came close in the 6th minute, but his effort was brilliantly saved by South London’s goalkeeper, Fodé Diaby, who was in inspired form.

As the first half wore on, South London began to find their feet. Renzo Moyano, their pacey right winger, forced a sharp save from Bondi’s keeper, James Keegan, in the 22nd minute, signalling that the visitors were not just there to defend their slender lead. The game was becoming a tense battle of wills, with Bondi throwing everything forward and South London relying on their defensive solidity and counter-attacking prowess.

Just before halftime, Bondi nearly grabbed the equalizer they so desperately needed. Ash Jones, their towering striker, met a cross with a powerful header that crashed against the post in the 45th minute, leaving the Bondi fans with their heads in their hands. The halftime whistle blew with the score still level.

The second half resumed with the same intensity, and Bondi knew that time was against them. Charlie Baker-Jones had another golden opportunity in the 49th minute, but his shot sailed wide.

Then came the pivotal moment. In the 62nd minute, South London’s star forward Ruben Sinclair, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, burst into life. Latching onto a through ball from Paul Obagbemiro, Sinclair raced towards goal and fired the ball past Keegan, silencing the Bondi faithful. The away section erupted in celebration as South London now led 2-0 on aggregate, with one foot firmly in the final.

Bondi, to their credit, did not give up. They continued to press forward, with Baker-Jones hitting the post yet again in the 77th minute. It was becoming clear that it was not to be their night. South London, well-drilled and resolute, absorbed the pressure and closed down spaces, frustrating Bondi’s attackers.

As the clock ticked down, Bondi’s desperation grew. In the dying moments, Juozas Butkus had a header blocked on the line in the 93rd minute, the last throw of the dice for the home side. But as the final whistle blew, it was South London United who stood tall, their 1-0 victory on the night and 2-0 win on aggregate securing their place in the  final.

For Bondi FC, it was a case of what might have been. They had the chances, but the finishing touch eluded them. South London, on the other hand, showcased the kind of defensive resilience and clinical finishing that wins titles.

Paris St-Denis arrived in Manaus with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg, a game defined by their tactical discipline and a solitary goal that had put them in the driving seat. For Brasil Amazônia, the task was clear: they had to win, and they had to do so convincingly to advance.

The game began with an air of caution from both sides, but it was Paris who drew first blood. In the 18th minute, Moussa Balmy struck a powerful shot that rippled the net and silenced the roaring Amazônia faithful. The visitors celebrated as if the tie was sealed, their aggregate lead now doubled.

Amazônia tried to respond quickly, with Guilherme Orlando coming close, but the Parisian defence, marshalled by Jean-Luc Duprat, held firm. As the half wore on, the home side looked increasingly desperate, their chances blocked or saved.

Whatever was said in the Amazônia dressing room at halftime worked wonders. They emerged with renewed vigour, pushing Paris deeper and deeper into their half. The breakthrough finally came in the 77th minute when Andrea Olivieri, rising like a salmon in the box, headed home to give Amazônia hope. The stadium erupted, a deafening roar of belief and expectation that could be felt in every corner of Manaus.

Just six minutes later, João Geraldes sent the crowd into raptures with a clinical finish, turning the tie on its head. Suddenly, Amazônia led on the night, and the aggregate score was level. Paris, who had looked so composed, now seemed rattled, their earlier confidence shattered by the relentless Brazilian onslaught.

With the aggregate score tied, the game headed into extra time. The tension was palpable, every touch of the ball filled with significance. In the 92nd minute, just minutes into extra time, Thiago Barros delivered what seemed to be the killer blow. His shot was powerful and precise, leaving Pedro Herculano in the Paris goal with no chance. Amazônia had the lead, 3-2 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.

The game was still balanced on a knife’s edge, but it was Junior Ybarra who tipped the scales. In the 105th + 2 minutes, he found the back of the net, putting Amazônia 4-2 up.

Paris, desperate to salvage their campaign, pushed forward, and their efforts were rewarded in the 111th minute when Florian Grava converted a penalty,  to make it 4-3 aggregate with nine minutes left.

The final minutes were a blur of Parisian attacks and Brazilian resistance. Henry Babatunde and Benamar came agonizingly close for Paris, but Amazônia’s defence, led by Gustavo Carvalho, held firm. The final whistle brought relief and jubilation in equal measure.