Australia bow out of World Cup after Peru defeat

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Tuesday Jun 26, 2018. 17:59

Peru ended their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Australia in a Group C match which was played at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Russia on Tuesday.

The win sees the Incas finish third on the Group C standings - two points above fourth-placed Socceroos. Both teams are eliminated from the competition.

It was the Socceroos, who threatened first through Mathew Leckie just five minutes into the game with the Incas.

The Hertha Berlin attacker unleashed a first-time which sailed just over the crossbar with Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese rooted to the ground.

The Socceroos were left to rue that missed chance as Peru broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 18th minute.

Pable Guerrero spotted his Incas team-mate Andre Carrillo on the far side of the box and picks him out, and the latter fired past Australia keeper Mathew Ryan to make it 1-0 to Peru.

The Socceroos then pushed for the equalizing goal and they nearly scored three minutes, before the half-hour mark.

Tom Rogic brilliantly dribbled his way into the Peru box and he forced Gallese into a low save as the Socceroos failed to level matters.

Australia kept pushing and they came very close to scoring in the 34th minute following a good move.

Aziz Behich set-up his Australia team-mate Leckie, whose attempt was blocked on the goal-line by Peru defender Christian Ramos.

Peru were then able to contain Australia until the match referee Sergei Karasev blew the half-time whistle and the score was 1-0 to the Incas at the interval.

The Incas pressed the Socceroos after the restart and they managed to double the lead through their inspirational captain Guerrero five minutes into the second-half.

Edinson Flores' shot deflected off Australia captain Mile Jedinak and the ball fell kindly for Guerrero, who scored to make it 2-0 to Peru.

Australia head coach Bert Van Marwijk decided to pull out Robbie Kruse and he introduced promising attacker Daniel Azani in the 58th minute.

The Socceroos nearly pulled one back in the 69th minute when Tim Cahill flicked a header goalwards from which Ramos nearly put through his own net.

Peru then sit back in the closing stages of the game and Australia struggled to open their defence.

The Incas made crucial blocks to deny Jedinak and Cahill in the dying minutes of the exciting match.

Ultimately, Peru emerged 2-0 winners over Australia, who were wasteful on the day.

Peru (1) 2 (Carillo 18', Guerrero 50')

Australia (0) 0

Australia: Ryan, Risdon, Sainsbury, Milligan, Behich, Leckie, Jedinak, Rogic (Irvine 72'), Mooy, Kruse (Azani 58), Juric (Cahill 53').
Peru: Gallese, Advincula, Ramos, Santamaria, Trauco, Carrillo (Cartagena 79'), Tapia (Hurtado 63'), Cueva, Yotun (Aquino 46'), Flores, Guerrero.