Australia is going to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after almost three hours of nail-biting tension in a do-or-die clash against Peru.
With everything to play for, the clash went to a penalty shootout after regular and extra-time, where substitute keeper Andrew Redmayne was the hero, saving Peru’s Alex Valera’s penalty in sudden death to book the Socceroos a spot in their fifth straight World Cup.
The @Socceroos Mayne Man :gloves:#AUSvPER pic.twitter.com/MsGJBN68yF
— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) June 13, 2022
Despite entering the contest as underdogs, the Socceroos owned the vast majority of regulation time.
Barring a ten-minute burst from Peru in the opening half, Graham Arnold’s men had better control of the ball and looked dangerous on several occasions to challenge opposition keeper Pedro Gallese.
But in a problem that’s plagued the side over recent years, the Socceroos couldn’t turn their good looks into conversions on the scorecard.
Jackson Irvine had chances go either side of the posts, while Ajdin Hrustic and Aaron Mooy consistently looked dangerous in the final third.
As they did against the United Arab Emirates the week prior, the Socceroos pressed harder to the second half but to no avail.
BREAKING: @Socceroos are through to the World Cup 🟡🟢🟡🟢 @Tonaaayy_ was in the thick of it at Melbourne’s Fed Square when Australia defeated Peru in a penalty shoot-out!
— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) June 13, 2022
#AUSvPER pic.twitter.com/YVTkspVIe3
The momentum began to turn following the whistle to end the 90 minutes as the teams embarked on extra time, Peru substitute Edison Flores looking particularly dangerous.
He created a couple of nervous moments for Australian fans waking up early on Tuesday morning in the hope of seeing World Cup qualification from their troops, but again, not enough to hit the back of the net.
After 120 minutes, the sides still couldn’t be separated and the drama reached fever pitch when penalties were called to decide the final spot in Group D.
In the final minutes of extra time, Arnold placed his faith in backup keeper Andrew Redmayne when making the shock call to take off captain Mat Ryan.
The shootout got off to a shaky start when Martin Boyle missed first up for the Aussies, however, the effort of Peru’s Luis Advincula struck the woodwork to even up the contest.
Moving into sudden death, Awer Mabil converted for the Socceroos, setting up the pivotal moment as a dancing Redmayne made the crucial save.
REDMAYNE MAKES THE SAVE! :gloves:
— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) June 13, 2022
The Socceroos are through to the World Cup after some Penalty Shootout heroics from super-sub Andrew Redmayne!#AUSvPER pic.twitter.com/8eVuQd9jFc
The Socceroos will now feature in Group D of the World Cup alongside France, Tunisia and Denmark.
Arnold and players were clearly emotional after the game, the head coach left speechless when interviewed on the sidelines by Channel 10.
"I called out Anthony Albanese the other day to give everyone the day off to celebrate this...I believe this is one of the greatest achievements ever"
— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) June 13, 2022
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold on Australia's unlikely road to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup #AUSvPER pic.twitter.com/SRRE3pv2Vq
With the pressure he and the side were under given they failed to go through in automatic qualifying and their chances were all but written off, they’ll rightfully celebrate the landmark victory.
The 2022 World Cup begins in late November.