Australia will be at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after beating Peru on Monday in the intercontinental playoff in a penalty shootout. Regulation ended at 0-0, nobody scored in extra time, and the Aussies won the shootout 5-4 with backup goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne making the decisive save.
The Sydney FC man came on in the final minutes for Maty Ryan and delivered, waving his hands and dancing before every attempt as he made one stop and had his post provide another to give Australia access to the World Cup coming up in November. This is their fifth consecutive trip to the World Cup as they enter Group D where they'll be joined by reigning champs France, who are in a bit of a rut, Denmark and Tunisia.
Here's the moment Australia won:
All of the match's excitement came in the shootout as the 120 minutes of play produced very little. The end product for both teams was absolutely abysmal and both managers were visibly frustrated with how their teams performed when on the ball.
Peru's first shot on goal didn't come till extra time, and while they were clearly the better team at stretches, the failure to produce a sharp pass to set up a quality shot did them in, ending the dream of returning to the World Cup.
Australia grew as the match went on and found it difficult to beat Pedro Gallese in goal, but some efficient penalty kicks were enough with their backup goalkeeper doing what he was brought in to do. Redmayne's save on Alex Valera to punch their ticket came afteAustraliaia followed up their opening miss with five straight conversions from the spot.
Five straight World Cups is a first for the history of this program. After making it for the first time in 1974, they failed to make the next seven editions before finally qualifying in 2006. There, they made the knockout stage for the first time ever. They've failed to advance from the group stage in their last three World Cups. For the full World Cup schedule, click here.
Redmayne comes in for Ryan in goal to play the penalty kicks...Interesting tactic.
Few minutes to go and it will be penalties...A last-gasp chance for either?
Flores off the post! A great header hits the right post and Australia dodge a bullet!
15 minutes to go ... penalties seem likely at this point.
99 minutes. That's how long it took Peru to get a shot on goal, and it wasn't an accurate one from
It's getting frustrating to watch, really. Just such poor execution, and it is as if these teams are being told they get style points. Just keep it simple!
The match finishes 0-0, and this one is far from over. Another 30 minutes to go ... at least. Penalties will be used to decide it if nobody is winning after extra time.
Massive stop from the Orlando City goalkeeper! He's coming up big in the final moments with a great low save down to his left!
The build up is a little bit better from the favorites, but the execution, the final product, is absolutely horrendous. It's as if they want to walk into the goal with the ball instead of actually taking shots.
Tense moments to come. Who can take the upper hand? No changes for either side.
A great run from Behich to carve up the Peru defense, and he goes for a curler to the far post but it goes just wide!!!
Fairly even so far. Peru started off stronger but Australia grew into the match a bit. It was a performance that left plenty to be desired for both in attack as sharpness was nowhere to be found. Everything hangs in the balance with 45 minutes and potentially more to go.
One total shot on goal in this game, and it's from the Aussies. Peru haven't put any of their five shots on frame. It's been one poorly played match so far.
Not good from Peru. Just very sloppy, not spacing out well, and it's really hampering what they want to do in attack. The Argentine boss is visibly upset on the bench trying to get his team to be more organied.
First solid look from the Aussies coming on a corner kick as Irvine connects on a header but sends it over the bar. Gallese was ready.
More of the ball from Peru early on, but they are often trying to do a tad too much with the ball and Australia are defending well.
Here we go!!!
By Chuck Booth
With the pressure on their shoulders, Peru will ride their strong defense to victory over Australia. Pick: Australia 0, Peru 2
¡Qué Golazo! on intercontinental playoffs
The World Cup qualification draws to a close as four teams meet in Qatar to battle it out for the last two remaining group stage spots. Luis Miguel Echegaray and Michael Lahoud analyze Australia, Peru, Costa Rica and New Zealand's chances of making it to the main event. Plus, Chile's attempts to take Ecuador's place are squashed.
By Chuck Booth
Peru will feel good as their defense hasn't allowed more than one goal in a game since September of 2021 against Brazil. They'll make things tough for Australia but in a win or go home anything can happen. They played New Zealand as a warmup with Gianluca Lapadula scoring the only goal but what's most impressive is that New Zealand were only able to muster two shots. Yoshimar Yotun could be a late doubt but given his importance to the team and the magnitude of the match, if he can walk, he will play.
By Chuck Booth
With a clean bill of health, Australia could run back the same team that defeated the UAE to get here. They'll need to be defensively sound which might be a struggle as they haven't kept a clean sheet in their last five matches and Peru is a team that can be an attacking force when they're up for it. But give Aaron Mooy space and he'll make you pay while also being a threat from set plays.
