David Beckham lifted a trophy in what could be his final game for the Los Angeles Galaxy as his side beat Australian A-League side the Melbourne Victory on penalties in a friendly match Tuesday.
The 36-year-old former England captain was given the man of the match award after the Galaxy's 4-3 shootout win following a 2-2 draw.
Beckham didn't score but provided several classy touches. He is out of contract at the end of the Galaxy's season and hasn't yet where he will play next year. He is understood to be weighing offers to remain in the United States or to join the French club Paris St. Germain.
Beckham's every move cheered by a 34,000 crowd until he was substituted three minutes from the end. His audacious lob from inside his own half on 13 minutes which just missed was reminiscent of the 1996 goal for Manchester United against Wimbledon from similar range which launched him to stardom.
He also won one of two penalties for his side in normal time when he was checked by Victory defender Petar Franjic to earn the spot-kick for Robbie Keane.
Melbourne made the stronger start Tuesday and led 2-0 after 37 minutes with goals by Carlos Hernandez and Isaka Cernak. But after a dubious penalty for handball just before halftime which Keane converted to make it 2-1, the Galaxy improved in the second half. Keane's second penalty squared things up at 2-2.
The Galaxy pressed hard but were unable to find the winner in normal time.
Tuesday's match was to see a contest between Beckham and former Liverpool star Harry Kewell but Kewell was withdrawn by Melbourne to ensure his fitness for an A-League match this weekend.
''We have an important game on the weekend, and the manager's told me I can't play,'' Kewell said. ''I'm 100 per cent fit, I trained today, and I wanted to be out there.''
Kewell's wife Sheree Murphy tweeted ''don't know who is more gutted, me or him.''
