Australia clinch World Cup spot on penalties

A 120th-minute goalkeeping substitution helped Australia book their spot for the 2022 World Cup at the expense of Peru.

Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne replaced the Socceroo’s usual shot-stopper, Matthew Ryan, with the game heading towards penalties. Indeed, penalties always looked like they were on the cards in a fairly dull encounter played in Qatar at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

Manager Graham Arnold’s gamble worked with Peru hitting the post on one penalty and having another saved to put Australia through.

©Getty / Joe Allison

"I've been working on a few things in training but at the end of the day it's a flip of the coin, it's either right or left… I'm no hero, I just played my role like everyone did tonight."

Australia are in Group D at the World Cup, where they'll need to get past France, Denmark, and Tunisia to progress.

Tonight also sees another qualifying play-off game, also played in the same stadium, as New Zealand look to replicate their local rival’s success when they take on Costa Rica. 

In our centenary year, we’re ready to #GiveIt100 at another @FIFAWorldCup 💯💚💛

The Socceroos have done it. #AllForTheSocceroos pic.twitter.com/eakA3X0SOT

— Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 13, 2022