ADELAIDE, Australia (Interstat) — Adelaide United opened its A-League season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over rival Melbourne Victory on Saturday, scoring deep into second-half stoppage time to snatch three points at Coopers Stadium.

The match, which defied a pregame projection of a 1-1 draw by Interstat, was decided in the seventh minute of added time when Adelaide midfielder Ryan Kitto fired home the winner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The result handed Melbourne Victory a losing start to its league campaign.

Adelaide’s veteran forward Craig Goodwin gave the hosts an early lead, finding the net in just the sixth minute. The home side controlled much of the first half but was unable to extend its advantage, leaving the door open for a Melbourne comeback.

That resurgence materialized in the 75th minute through substitute Matthew Grimaldi. Brought on to inject energy into Melbourne’s attack, Grimaldi leveled the score with a well-taken finish, setting up a tense final quarter-hour.

The closing stages turned increasingly fractious, with six yellow cards issued after the 60th minute. Melbourne’s Santos was booked in the 60th, quickly followed by Adelaide defender Panagiotis Kikianis in the 62nd. As tensions rose, cautions were shown to Ryan White of Melbourne and Adelaide’s Lachlan Jackson in quick succession around the 85th minute. Melbourne substitute Juan Mata was booked in the 93rd minute, and Grimaldi received a yellow in the 98th, moments after the final whistle.

Amid the stoppages, Adelaide pressed for a winner. It arrived from a swift move that cut through the Melbourne defense. Grimaldi, the visitor’s goalscorer, turned provider for the decisive blow, playing a key pass to Kitto, who made no mistake with his late strike. The assist capped a standout performance for Grimaldi, who contributed a goal and an assist off the bench.

Statistical credit for assists on Adelaide’s goals went to Kikianis for Goodwin’s opener and to Jackson for Kitto’s winner. Melbourne’s assists were recorded by White on Grimaldi’s goal and by Mata and Santos in the buildup to the same play.

With the win, Adelaide United begins the A-League season with a perfect record, while Melbourne Victory is left to regroup after an opening-day defeat that was sealed in the cruelest fashion. The match underscored the unpredictable nature of the league’s fierce rivalries, with the outcome in doubt until the final moments of a contentious and thrilling contest.