Australia vs Peru World Cup 2022 Playoff Full Penalties Shootout

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.