Alana Jancevski scored a world class free kick in the fourth minute before debutant, injury replacement player Holly Furphy, added another in the 77th minute.
Victory (27 points) claimed their second win on the bounce to at least temporarily overtake Melbourne City (26 points) in the race for the premiership plate.
But the loss leaves the two-time defending champion Sky Blues still eight points outside the top six.
Not singin' the blues: Ante Juric says Sydney FC's season isn't over despite a loss to Victory. (Jeremy Ng/AAP PHOTOS)
"No it's not (over). I just had a magic number on the board and told them, 'This is what we need to get into finals'," Juric said.
"I'm very calm about stuff, about life - at the end of the day this is football.
"If we weren't working hard I'd be more upset. But every day at training they work hard, they turn up.
"Yeah they're disappointed and I'm disappointed because it's sport and you want to achieve, especially at the highest level.
"But like I told them, I'm proud of them."
Victory needed less than four minutes to take the lead.
Jancevski, an attacker pinch-hitting at left-back, stood over a free kick some 25 yards out from goal on the right hand side.
The left footer struck the ball sweetly and it kept rising into the top corner for her fourth goal of the season.
Oh my word, WHAT A HIT �🤯 One of the best free kicks you'll see this season! — Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) 🗣� "That is unsaveable" - childhood @gomvfc fan Alana Jancevski produces something ������� four minutes into the Big Blue! Just wait until you see the reverse angle 🫢Watch #MVCvSYD live… pic.twitter.com/K5cvXlPsNpJanuary 24, 2025
"We were discussing, 'Is she gonna shoot? Is it too far out?'" Victory coach Jeff Hopkins said with a smile.
"I'm glad she did.
"We're still not anywhere near playing as well as we are capable of."
But Jancevski suffered a ball to the head in the 18th minute and was checked again after the half-hour mark before being substituted at half-time - though Hopkins was confident she wasn't concussed.
Sydney couldn't take their chances and Victory made them pay.
Rachel Lowe slipped through Furphy and the youngster rounded Brianna Edwards to score a lovely goal on a tight angle.
Furphy had only been officially announced as an injury replacement signing for Paige Zois on Friday.
Victory will take confidence from the win into next Saturday's derby against City.
Things don't grow any easier for Sydney, who face Adelaide on Friday.
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