Australia secured their position at a fifth successive World Cup, after defeating Peru in a dramatic sudden-death penalty shoot at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in the AFC-CONMEBOL Intercontinental Play-off.Hoping to avenge their defeat during the group stages of the 2018 World Cup finals, the Socceroos began the contest galvanised. Australia conjured up several goalscoring opportunities on the doorstep of the World Cup finals to keep Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese on his toes.In only the second-ever head-to-head encounter between the two nations, Peru struggled to introduce an attacking impetus into the momentous occasion, as Mathew Ryan remained an observant spectator approaching the quarter-hour mark. With the accolade of a place at the pinnacle of world football up for grabs, referee Slavko Vinčić had the dubious honour of being the busiest man on the pitch amid an array of late challenges from each side approaching halftime.#BREAKING Australia beat Peru on penalties to qualify for World Cup pic.twitter.com/7xadYKKmma— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 13, 2022 Looking for their first victory over a South American opponent since 2010, Australia remained frustrated in their attempts to open the scoring. La Blanquirroja built on a determined first-half defensive performance by mounting their first attacks of the match. With the contest finely balanced heading into the final 25 minutes, Peru manager Ricardo Gareca was the first to roll the dice, introducing Edison Flores into the fray. Meanwhile, his opposite number Graham Arnold resisted the temptation to alternate his side.With neither side able to break one another down within 94 minutes, despite an attacking onslaught from the Socceroos, both sets of already nerve-wracked spectators began to prepare themselves for another 30 minutes of football.##EDITORS_CHOICE##After no goal-mouth action to appease either side in the opening period of extra time, Peru were inches away from taking a precious lead in the 108th minute when Flores’ header agonisingly struck the right-hand post with Ryan beaten. Without a breakthrough in extra time, penalty shoot-out specialist Andrew Redmayne was introduced for Australia by Arnold.The Australian manager’s substitution turned out to be a tactical masterclass when Redmayne saved Alex Valera’s penalty to send the Socceroos through to Group D of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, alongside defending World Cup Champions France, Denmark, and Tunisia.FT: Australia are in the World Cup as the 31st team, beat Peru on penalties. The last kick… pic.twitter.com/3RT6xUvYIG— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) June 13, 2022 The remaining 32nd participant of the World Cup will be determined tomorrow when Costa Rica face New Zealand.QATAR WORLD CUP 2022 QUALIFIERS – PlayoffAustralia – Peru 0-0 (0-0)Australia qualify after penalties 5-4Australia eliminate Peru to reach the World Cup! 🇦🇺🏆 pic.twitter.com/J8t5S61962— 433 (@433) June 13, 2022 ©FlashScore
