Despite falling behind against the run of play, the Red & Black responded with determination, finding a deserved equaliser just before the break before a blistering start to the second half saw two goals in five minutes turn the contest firmly in their favour. Ufuk Talay’s side maintained their momentum throughout the closing stages, with Miguel Di Pizio and substitute Atiya Waraga putting the finishing touches on an impressive performance at CommBank Stadium.
- Final score: Western Sydney Wanderers 5, Auckland FC 2 at CommBank Stadium, after the sides were level at 1-1 at half-time.
- Dylan Scicluna provided two assists, setting up Borrello’s equaliser before the break and Di Pizio’s fourth late on.
- Three goals either side of half-time, through Borrello, Gillion and Milanović, swung the match the Wanderers’ way.
- Substitutes Aydan Hammond and Waraga combined for the fifth goal, sealing the Wanderers’ first win over Auckland at the fifth attempt.
First half
The Wanderers entered their first home match of the season determined to build on their opening-round Sydney Derby performance, with Ufuk Talay’s side looking to make an early statement in front of the Red & Black faithful.
The visitors threatened early, with Lachlan Brook heading wide from a Francis de Vries delivery in the 15th minute before de Vries forced Lawrence Thomas into a save from distance just moments later.
Despite the Wanderers enjoying the greater share of possession, Auckland found the breakthrough in the 24th minute when a corner was worked back to de Vries, whose delivery into the area found Luka Vicelich to fire home from close range.
The Red & Black responded positively, continuing to push forward in search of an equaliser.
Dylan Scicluna looked particularly dangerous from distance, trying his luck with several attempts from outside the area, while Liam Gillion also threatened down the left as the Wanderers began to find their attacking rhythm.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 43rd minute following a swift counterattack.
After Thomas produced an important save to deny Jake Brimmer, the Wanderers transitioned quickly upfield, with Scicluna picking out captain Brandon Borrello on the right side of the penalty area.
Borrello made no mistake, firing home to bring the Red & Black level and send the home crowd into celebration.
The equaliser ensured Talay’s side headed into the half-time break with renewed confidence and momentum firmly on their side.
Second half
Just moments after the restart, Liam Gillion fired the Red & Black into the lead, finding the bottom left corner with a clinical left-footed finish from inside the penalty area to make it 2-1.
The home side continued to pile on the pressure, with their attacking momentum rewarded again in the 50th minute.
After Brandon Borrello was denied by Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud following a clever through ball from Miguel Di Pizio, Nicolas Milanović struck moments later, producing a superb left-footed finish into the top corner to extend the Wanderers’ advantage to 3-1.
With the Red & Black firmly in control, Auckland looked to find a way back into the contest, forcing Lawrence Thomas into action through a Logan Rogerson header.
Talay introduced Atiya Waraga in place of Gillion just before the hour mark as the Wanderers looked to maintain their attacking intensity.
The visitors managed to reduce the deficit in the 68th minute following an unfortunate own goal from Borrello, bringing the score back to 3-2 and setting up a tense final period.
However, the Wanderers refused to surrender their attacking momentum, with Di Pizio coming agonisingly close to restoring the two-goal advantage when his powerful effort from distance rattled the crossbar.
Further changes saw Aydan Hammond and Hiroshi Ibusuki introduced in place of Milanović and Borrello respectively, as the Red & Black continued to search for another breakthrough.
Their persistence paid off in the 86th minute when a swift counterattack saw Scicluna release Di Pizio, who calmly slotted his effort into the bottom corner to make it 4-2 and restore the Wanderers’ two-goal cushion.
The Wanderers were not finished yet, adding a fifth just three minutes later as substitutes Aydan Hammond and Atiya Waraga combined to put the result beyond doubt.
Hammond drove forward on the counterattack before finding Waraga, who produced a clinical left-footed finish into the top right corner to seal an emphatic 5-2 victory and cap off a memorable return to CommBank Stadium for the Red & Black.
Full time
The emphatic 5-2 victory marked a significant result for the Red & Black, who entered the contest without a win in their previous four meetings with Auckland FC.
Having fallen behind in the opening half, the Wanderers demonstrated resilience and attacking quality to turn the contest in their favour, securing their first victory after conceding the opening goal since May 2025.
The performance was reflected in the statistics, with Talay’s side enjoying 61.9% of possession and registering 14 shots to Auckland’s nine, including six efforts on target.
The result also highlighted the depth within the Wanderers squad, with the introduction of fresh legs proving influential in the closing stages as substitutes Aydan Hammond and Atiya Waraga combined for the fifth goal.
Scoring five goals at home for the first time since October 2023, the Red & Black capped off their return to CommBank Stadium in emphatic fashion, providing a strong platform to build on as the 2026/27 campaign gathers momentum.
