Australia secured a spot in Qatar’s World Cup with a very thin margin when they passed the qualifying round in 2022 after defeating Peru with a 6-5 scoreline, in a penalty shootout.
In the final of the Intercontinental Playoffs, Peru and Australia met at the Al Rayyan Stadium in Qatar, and Peruvian fans flocked to support the team.
As a result, Australia missed out in 2002 and will be competing in the World Cup for the fifth consecutive year. This is heartbreaking for Peru, which wanted to reach the fifth World Cup by qualifying.
Socceroos had the best chance early on when Jackson Irvine headed over along with Martin Boyle and threatened the whole thing.
Peru seemed nervous on the opening stage but played the usual game calmly and easily passing the defense. They slowed down the pace of encounters and reached a conclusion.
The Beneficial Extra Time
Peru’s huge backing in the stands made the difference late in the game as Peru had their best chance in the final stages when Cristhian Cueva found space behind. Edison Flores had the best opportunity to take the lead came when his substitute headed home the goal.
Australia’s Victory, The Shoot-Out Win
Boyle has been threatening Australia for a long time, but his penalty missed the net as he proceeded to win the first penalty shootout. Australian goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne came in at the last moment on behalf of Real Sociedad’s shoot-stopper and Australian captain Mathew Ryan, but he could hardly stop Peru’s penalty-takers.
When Peru missed, Luis Advincula struck his attempt at the post to level the penalty shootout. Redmayne finally became a sudden death hero when Alex Valero missed a winning shot with a low penalty to the right of the keeper.
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