Australia 0-0 Peru (5-4 pens) LIVE RESULT: World Cup play-off reaction as dancing goalkeeper Redmayne is Aussie hero
AUSTRALIA have beaten Peru on penalties to reach the World Cup.
Edison Flores hit the post with a header in extra time for the Peruvians in the best chance of the 120 minutes.
But it was the Socceroos who emerged victorious in the shootout thanks to the gutsiest of calls from manager Graham Arnold.
With one minute left, Arnold decided to haul off former Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan and replace him with penalty specialist Andrew Redmayne.
And his dancing routine would eventually pay dividends as he saved from Alex Valera to send the Aussies to the World Cup.
"Make a war of this"
Aussie coach Graham Arnold spoke to SEN radio at the weekend before this game, he said:
“We’ve got to get in their faces,”
“We’ve got to make a fight of this, a war of this, and make sure that when we go out on the pitch that we rattle them. When we do that, that’s our best chance.”
Australian coach Graham Arnold.Credit: AFP One previous meeting...
Peru and Australia have met only once before in their history, in Group C, at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
A goal in each half by Andre Carrillo (18th min.) and Paolo Guerrero (50th min.) claimed a 2-0 win for Peru in the group finale.
Both sides however, had already been knocked out of their group, which saw eventual winners France, and Denmark go through.
How they got here...
The Socceroos, as they are affectionately known in the footballing world, have reached the qualifying final by beating UAE 2-1 in the semi-finals, courtesy of a late Ajdin Hrustic strike.
It is simple for them today, beat Peru under any circumstances in this one-off match, and they will be at the World Cup in Qatar this winter.
They sit comfortably below Peru in the world rankings, but have some talented players in their ranks, so may pull off a shock.
Australia beat UAE 2-1 to get to the final.Credit: EPA
Welcome to Australia vs Peru!
Good evening and welcome to SunSport’s coverage of Australia vs Peru.
This is a World Cup inter-continental play-off, so the victors will secure their place in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Whoever makes it to the World Cup finals will be the final team in Group D, with France, Denmark and Tunisia.
There will be some familiar faces on display in today's match-up, with ex-Brighton midfielder expected to start, as well as ex-seagulls and Arsenal goalkeeper Matty Ryan.
For Peru, they could have some key names back in action for this one in Luis Advincula and Renato Tapia, the latter playing for Celta Vigo.
We are set to see a really close game, as these two sides met at the 2018 World Cup, in which Peru won 2-0.
It is set to be a cracker, as there is so much on the line for these two.