Wanderers loss to Adelaide sees Roar claim last A-League finals spot

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The Brisbane Roar have claimed the sixth and last A-League finals spot after the Western Sydney Wanderers suffered a dramatic 3-2 home loss to Adelaide United.

Needing a win to climb back above Brisbane into sixth, Wanderers led 1-0 but lost a thrilling see-sawing and controversial battle at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

Wanderers started the round in sixth but Roar moved above them with a win at Perth on Saturday and now play Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park next Sunday.

Western Sydney played the last half-hour with 10 men after midfielder Keanu Baccus was sent off after the the VAR official deemed he had kicked out at Johan Absalonsen.

The Wanderers scored first when Oriol Riera netted from the penalty spot after being brought down by Adelaide goalkeeper Paul Rizzo.

It was a club-record 15th goal of the season for the Spaniard, the second highest goal-scorer in the league after Sydney FC's Bobo.

Adelaide hit back to lead 2-1 through quality strikes from Papa Diawara and Daniel Adlung.

Marcelo Carrusca equalised in the 42nd minute and Riera had a penalty well saved by Rizzo in first-half stoppage time after a VAR decision.

The second half failed to match the consistent high drama of the first but still had it's moments. Substitute Ryan Kitto put Adelaide ahead from close range in the 80th minute.

Kitto hit the woodwork shortly after and Wanderers substitute Brendon Santalab headed just wide in a frantic finale.

It was a frustrating day for Wanderers coach Josep Gombau, who kicked an advertising board at the edge of his technical area late in the game.

Gombau took over the club at the beginning of November when they were still unbeaten after five rounds under caretaker coach Hayden Foxe.