The Sky Blues qualified for their fourth W-League grand final thanks to Jasmine Spencer's goal on the hour mark, but there was some doubt as to whether it should have stood at all.
A corner was hung up high in the air and when Canberra United's goalkeeper Lydia Williams was knocked over, everyone expected to hear the referee blow for a foul.
The whistle never came though and Spencer was on hand to bundle home the loose ball and send Sydney FC into next weekend's grand final.
Sydney FC will play the winner of Monday's semi final between this season's W-League premiers Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar, who finished fourth.
If Melbourne City win they will earn the right to host the grand final, otherwise Sydney FC will have home ground advantage.