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.
Photo of the match!
This is the SunSport photo of the match.
A beautiful moment which captures substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne and Matty Ryan embracing as Australia have just qualified for their fifth consecutive World Cup.
Mabil can also be seen celebrating, he was born in a refugee camp, before he moved to Australia in 2006 and does great work off the field too for his “Barefoot to boots” initiative.
Great stuff all round.
Australian goalkeepers and players rejoice after qualifying for the World Cup.Credit: AP World Cup Group!
Australia will now join world champions France, Christian Eriksen’s Denmark and Tunisia in Group D at the World Cup in Qatar.
All three of those teams will pose more of a threat than Peru did tonight, but do not bet against the Aussies pulling off a surprise.
Denmark and France were both in a group with Australia at the last World Cup, as were Peru.
France beat them 2-1, thanks to a Paul Pogba lob that broke Aussie hearts, and an Antoine Griezmann penalty.
While the Australians put Denmark to the sword in a close 1-1 draw, in which Mile Jedinak scored an equalising penalty for the Socceroos.
Pogba scored the winner as France beat Australia 2-1 in the 2018 World Cup.Credit: AFP Man of the match
There were a number of great performances left out on the pitch tonight from both sets of players.
But there is only one man who could take the SunSport man of the match award, and that is Andrew Redmayne.
Despite only playing for 4 minutes, and the penalty shootout, his dancing heroics is what this game will be remembered for.
But that is just our take, who would YOU vote as man of the match?
Commiserations Peru!
While Redmayne and Australia will take all the plaudits for tonight, and rightly so, it was so close to being Peru’s night.
Edison Flores hit the post with a downwards header in extra time, which would have surely won it for his side.
But there are fine, fine margins when it comes to games of this importance and of this calibre.
They will be sorely missed from this World Cup, but will be back fighting for their place in the 2026 edition we are sure.
Congratulations Australia!
That victory sees Australia qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar!
They have now qualified for 5 consecutive World Cups, and it wouldn’t have felt the same for many without them in Qatar.They had to overcome a stubborn Peruvian side, who did not concede many chances, and did excellently to hold their nerve in the penalty shootout.
They had some great performances from individuals on the pitch, such as Mabil, Wright, Mooy and Boyle, but it was their overall defensive stability that won them the game, as well as a moment of magic from Andrew Redmayne.
Either team could have won it today, with it being such a tight-knit affair, but it will certainly be good to see the Socceroos in Qatar.
Australia beat Peru 5-4 on penalties to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.Credit: EPA Andrew Redmayne the hero!
What a penalty shootout that was!
Well, the 120 minutes could have certainly been more entertaining, but penalty shootouts do not come much better than that.
Substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne is a special breed, he danced about on his goal line like a popcorn over a hot fire.
But his unique technique paid off as he made an excellent save to deny fellow substitute Valera from the spot.
He is the Australian hero tonight, and that performance will be remembered for a long, long time.
Andrew Redmayne made only his third appearance tonight for Australia.Credit: Reuters Redmayne saves! Australia 5-4 Peru
The dancing substitute keeper has worked his magic!
Australia have qualified for the 2022 world cup!
The Socceroos are BACK.
Mabil scores! Australia 5-4 Peru
Flores scores! Australia 4-4 Peru
It is sudden death.
Flores does so well to deal with that pressure.
Maclaren scores! Australia 4-3 Peru
Maclaren puts Peruvian dreams on a knife edge.
Flores has to score.
Tapia scores! Australia 3-3 Peru
Tapia got the better of Redmayne, who is dancing about on his line before each kick is taken.
Hrustic scores! Australia 3-2 Peru
They lead for the first time! Hrustic scores as he did in the Europa League final.
Advincula misses! Australia 2-2 Peru
It is level! Advincula hits the post!
Goodwin scores! Australia 2-2 Peru
Goodwin scores emphatically, but Peru need to miss one soon.
Callens scores! Australia 1-2 Peru
Great penalty by Callens.
Mooy scores! Australia 1-1 Peru
Mooy smashes it home.
Lapadula scores! Australia 0-1 Peru
Gallese saves! Australia 0-0 Peru
Gallese makes a great save to deny the first Australian penalty!
Penalties to decide it.
Neither team could win it in 120 minutes, and now we have penalties to decide who will be at the World Cup.
Australia made a last minute substitution which saw them exchange ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Matty Ryan, for Sydney FC’s Andrew Redmayne.
It is a huge call from Australian coach Arnold, who will be hoping Redmayne doesn’t repeat what Kepa did for Chelsea in the Carabao cup final.
Andrew Redmayne replaces Matty Ryan in the 119th minute.Credit: AFP Full Time. Australia 0-0 Peru
There is nothing between these two sides after 120 minutes.
It will be penalties that decide who will be at the World Cup in Qatar come this November.
Australia have bought on Redmayne of Sydney FC for Matty Ryan in goal, who could be the Australian hero is he saves a penalty tonight.
120+3. Australia 0-0 Peru
Craig Goodwin will take the free kick, which is surely the last chance of the game.
It is cleared well, and we have penalties on our hands.
120+2. Australia 0-0 Peru
We are on the verge of a penalty shootout here in Qatar, a foul is committed on Jackson Irvine, and Australia will try and whip in a free kick at the death.
120. Australia 0-0 Peru
There are three added minutes in extra time to make up for injuries.
120. Australia 0-0 Peru
Australia are also making a huge change!
Their goalkeeper Matty Ryan is coming off for Sydney FC goalkeeper Redmayne!
He is seemingly a penalty specialist, but we have seen this go wrong in the past…119. Australia 0-0 Peru
Australian Behich can last no more, and is now replaced by Craig Goodwin.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
