Anselmo Brace Inspires Adelaide United’s Comeback Win Over Macarthur

Adelaide United FC produced a strong second-half response to defeat Macarthur FC 3–1 in A-League regular-season action on matchday 25, overturning an early setback thanks to a decisive brace from substitute Anselmo.

Macarthur struck first in the 7th minute. Mitchell Duke finished off a move created by Callum Talbot, giving the visitors a 1–0 advantage and briefly silencing the home crowd. Adelaide struggled to find a breakthrough before the interval, prompting a double change at half-time, with Anselmo replacing Luka Jovanovic and Brody Burkitt coming on for Ryan Kitto.

A League FINISHED

2026-04-19 05:30

Adelaide United FC

3 - 1

Macarthur FC

Matchday 25 REGULAR_SEASON

The tactical shake-up paid off just after the hour. In the 63rd minute, Anselmo drew Adelaide level, converting after good work from Jay Barnett to make it 1–1. Macarthur, already under pressure, had Dean Bošnjak and Duke booked as the momentum swung towards the hosts.

Adelaide completed the turnaround in the 75th minute when Panagiotis Kikianis struck to give the home side a 2–1 lead. With Macarthur chasing the game and turning to their bench — including the introductions of Henrique Oliveira, Bernardo Oliveira, Harry Sawyer and Walter Scott — Adelaide remained clinical.

Anselmo sealed the points in the 89th minute, finishing from a Yaya Dukuly assist to register his second goal of the afternoon and extend the lead to 3–1. Macarthur’s frustrations showed late on, with Anthony Caceres also going into the referee’s book in the 83rd minute.

Both coaches made extensive use of their benches, with Adelaide also introducing Ajak Riak, Luke Duzel and Austin Ayoubi, while Macarthur replaced early substitute Chris Ikonomidis with Oliver Randazzo. Beyond the recorded goals, bookings and substitutions, detailed statistical data and further match events were not available at the time of writing.

For the full match overview, visit Ballaxy’s match centre.

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A League Standings

Season: 2025/26

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
1	Newcastle United Jets FC	26	15	3	8	55	39	16	48	W D D
2	Adelaide United FC	26	12	7	7	46	36	10	43	W W D
3	Auckland FC	26	11	9	6	42	29	13	42	D L D
4	Melbourne Victory FC	26	11	7	8	44	33	11	40	W D D L
5	Sydney FC	26	11	6	9	33	25	8	39	D D W
6	Melbourne City FC	26	10	8	8	33	33	0	38	L W W W W
7	Macarthur FC	26	9	7	10	37	44	-7	34	W L L
8	Wellington Phoenix FC	26	9	6	11	36	48	-12	33	L W L W
9	Central Coast Mariners FC	26	8	8	10	35	42	-7	32	L W D L D
10	Perth Glory FC	26	8	7	11	32	39	-7	31	W D W D
11	Brisbane Roar FC	26	6	8	12	27	36	-9	26	L L D
12	Western Sydney Wanderers FC	26	5	6	15	27	43	-16	21	L L L L