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Years of World Cup qualifying came down to a few kicks from 12 yards out for Australia and Peru on Monday. In a dramatic shootout to decide the penultimate place at the 2022 World Cup, it was the goofy histrionics of Australia goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne that proved decisive.
Redmayne saved Peru’s sixth and final penalty attempt to send the Socceroos to the World Cup with a 5-4 shootout victory after a 0-0 draw on Monday at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar. Australia will join Group D with France, Denmark and Tunisia in November.
Redmayne, a 33-year-old with two prior national team appearances, came on in the 121st minute to tend the goal in a penalty kick shootout, replacing Real Sociedad keeper Mathew Ryan. The Sydney FC man danced around the goal like a knucklehead, attempting to channel Emiliano Martínez’s shithousing from last summer’s Copa América. Redmayne jumped around the goal line with his arms waving around, even turning his back to the ball trying to throw the Peruvian shooters off. At one point, Redmayne dropped the ball for a Peru shooter to grab but kicked it one foot away, resulting in a stern talking to from the Slovenian referee.
Australia: ❌
Peru: ✅— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 13, 2022
The shithousing didn’t really seem to work, as Redmayne couldn’t come close to the first five penalty attempts. Luis Advíncula’s shot hit the post, came back across the goal and out, canceling out Pedro Gallese’s save of Martin Boyle. (Gallese is no stranger to wild shootouts.)
Australia: ❌ ✅ ✅
Peru: ✅ ✅ ❌— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 13, 2022
The shootout went into the sixth round, where Awer Mabil, a Kenyan refugee, converted for the Aussies. Alex Valera then took Peru’s turn, striking it well within the range of the 6-4 Redmayne, who finally made his antics pay off with a save, sending the Socceroos to the World Cup in the process.
Australia Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne Save vs Peru
THE PK THAT SENDS AUSTRALIA TO THE FIFA WORLD CUP!
Australia: ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅✅ ✅Peru: ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ ✅❌
: @FS1 pic.twitter.com/isPQ2Du8un
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 13, 2022
Was it the finest example of goalkeeping in a shootout? No. Was it embarrassing to act like such a goof with so much on the line? Maybe.
But in the end, the antics of the Australia goalkeeper got his country to the World Cup, and that’s all that matters.
Redmayne's reaction after making the save to send Australia to the FIFA World Cup is priceless pic.twitter.com/ZPWJT6ArDR
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 13, 2022
As for the match itself before the shootout, there’s not too much to tell. Gallese made the first save of the game in the 80th minute, Peru had a header go off the post and neither side seemed to have enough desire to break down the opposing defense.
Let’s hope the final World Cup qualifier on Tuesday has a bit more action. Costa Rica takes on New Zealand for the last spot in Qatar at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The winner joins Spain, Germany and Japan in Group E.
