Australia gets penultimate World Cup ticket against Peru

Australia has reached the finals of a soccer World Cup for the sixth time. The “Socceroos” beat South America’s fifth-placed Peru 5-4 on penalties on Monday evening at the World Cup stadium in Ar-Rayyan, Qatar, following being 0-0 following extra time. Substitute keeper Andrew Redmayne, who came on for captain Mathew Ryan in the 120th minute, became a hero – with his unusual fidgeting tactics he saved two penalties.

Australia thus secured the penultimate place available for the World Cup in Qatar from 21 November to 18 December in the intercontinental play-off match. Australia will play in Group D with holders France, Denmark and Tunisia. Peru missed out on their sixth appearance at the World Cup despite passionate cheering from the fans who had traveled to the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium to create a good mood for the World Cup.

The 32nd and last place will be awarded on Tuesday when New Zealand and Costa Rica meet also in Ar-Rayyan. The winner of this game goes into Group E with Germany, Spain and Japan.