That concludes our coverage of the Group C match between Australia and Peru from the 2018 World Cup in Russia. We hope you enjoyed the commentary and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Both of these sides have left it all on the pitch and can leave the tournament with their heads held high. The round-robin phase ends for Group C with Peru claiming third spot – with today’s loss condemning Bert van Marwijk’s side to 4th.
Though the Socceroos were the ones who needed the result, it looked as though Peru were the ones playing for something. They attacked with passion and fluidity and defended in numbers – leaving Tomi Juric and Tom Rogic no room to operate. The Australian’s came close on a couple of occasions, with Matthew Leckie spurning the best opportunity to net past Gallese.
Australia’s World Cup campaign ends in a whimper as they bow out of the tournament with a 2-0 defeat. Victory today alone would not have guaranteed their place in the knockouts, but it would have given them something to cheer about. Instead – that honour goes to Peru and their fans who have been wonderful throughout their run.
90' + 4' FULL-TIME: Australia 0-2 Peru.
90' + 2' The ball is in the arms of Peru’s goalkeeper and with a minute left in the match – the other result in the group has been confirmed. A 0-0 draw between Denmark and France would have sent Australia home, regardless of their result.
90' Peru win a corner after Hurtado does well on the right flank. Australia’s players are looking dead on their feet – exhausted both physically and mentally. They have the ball from a throw-in after winning possession from Peru's set-piece as we enter the four additional minutes at the end of the match.
89' Australia have picked up just one point and scored just one goal against South American teams in World Cup group stages (three games in total).
M. Milligan
Yellow Card
88' Mark Milligan takes a yellow card for an overzealous attempt to win the ball back in midfield.
87' Mooy’s out-swinger is met by an incredibly powerful Peru clearance. Australia win back possession and start another attack from Ryan – though every new wave forward leaves them with less and less time to get another.
86' Guerrero breaks free on a counter-attack with two team-mates streaking down the field beside him, but the 34-year old striker puts a tired pass in and Australia intercept. They take it down the pitch the other way and promptly win a corner-kick which Mooy will take.
84' Mile Jedinak strikes the ball at goal from the free-kick and puts it over the wall, but over the crossbar as well and out for a goal-kick which Gallese will use to take precious seconds off the clock.
83' Daniel Arzani does very well to maintain possession and win his side a free-kick just outside the penalty area with under 10 minutes to play. If the Socceroos are to have any hope of advancing, they will need to take advantage of this set-piece.
81' Edison Flores smashes the ball against the base of the post after receiving a laid-off pass from Guerrero, but it would not have counted had it gone in – as a Peru player in the build-up is deemed to have come from an offside position.
P. Hurtado
Yellow Card
79' Paolo Hurtado is shown a yellow card for a dangerous sliding tackle on Behich in the Australian half of the pitch.
W. Cartagena
A. Carrillo
79' Wilder Cartagena is Ricardo Gareca’s third and final substitute of the match. Andre Carrillo is the man making way – and he is doing so to an absolutely rapturous reception. Every Peru fan in the stadium is up on their feet making their appreciation known.
76' Brilliant work by Carrillo to free himself from three markers and hit a clearance down the right wing. The ball only goes as far as Mooy in midfield who collects it and looks to recycle it quickly. Gareca is on the sideline gesticulating wildly as Peru failed to have a striker up top to chase down the ball and kill time.
74' Paolo Hurtado looks to play Advincula into the penalty area but Behich holds off the advancing Peru full-back and lets the ball go out for a goal-kick. With just over 15 minutes left, Australia are desperately pushing forward for a goal which will cut the deficit in half, though they are leaving themselves exposed at the back as a result.
J. Irvine
T. Rogić
72' Bert van Marwijk makes his last roll of the dice as Tomas Rogic is replaced by Jackson Irvine in Australia’s last switch.
72' Behich wastes a great opportunity! Instead of making the easy pass, the wing-back opts to volley the ball across goal but his placement is poor and it lands in between Leckie and Cahill – avoiding them both and rolling out for a goal-kick.
70' Mile Jedinak has scored both of Australia’s goals so far in the 2018 World Cup. No Australian has ever scored more in a single edition before (Tim Cahill two in 2006 and 2014, Brett Holman two in 2010).
68' The Peru fans are enjoying absolutely every last minute of their campaign, as chants of “Russia” come down from all four sides of the stadium. Peru are 22 minutes from their first World Cup win since beating Iran 4-1 in the 1978 edition of the competition.
T. Rogić
Yellow Card
66' Mooy takes a free-kick from the right-hand side towards Leckie at the front post but the winger is unable to reach the ball and Peru break out on the counter with Cueva. Tomas Rogic brings down the South American midfielder and will take a yellow card for halting the attack.
65' Mooy takes a free-kick from the right-hand side towards Leckie at the front post but the winger is unable to reach the ball and Peru break out on the counter with Cueva.
P. Hurtado
R. Tapia
63' Confirmation of the change which has just been made as Renato Tapia’s World Cup journey ends with a knock. Coming on in his place is indeed Paolo Hurtado.
62' Play is halted for Renato Tapia who has gone down and is having some difficulty getting up. Ricardo Gareca is already preparing a substitute, as Paolo Hurtado looks to be preparing to enter.
D. Arzani
Yellow Card
60' The second corner is taken and falls for Advincula who takes off immediately on the counter-attack before being brought down by Daniel Arzani in midfield – which earns the recently introduced substitute a yellow card for his professional foul.
60' AZIZ BEHICH VOLLEYS JUST WIDE! The corner comes in and Tim Cahill gets a strike which is blocked. The ball comes out for Behich who gets a close-range volley off but the shot took a slight deflection and goes out for a second corner.
59' Trauco clears an Australian cross and puts the ball out for a corner-kick which will be taken by Mooy. Play is halted momentarily as Cahill and Ramos are already engaging in a physical battle.
D. Arzani
R. Kruse
58' Bert van Marwijk makes another attacking change as 19-year old Daniel Arzani comes onto the field in place of Robbie Kruse.
57' Australia have lost four of their last five World Cup matches, with their draw against Denmark last time out ending a run of four straight defeats.
55' It is Mooy who hits it and it goes directly into the Renato Tapia in the wall and out for an Australian corner.
54' Australia have a free-kick just outside the Peru penalty area and it will be either Mooy's right or Rogic's left boot to take.
T. Cahill
T. Jurić
53' Cometh the hour, cometh the man – and coming onto the pitch now is Australia’s World Cup hero Tim Cahill, who enters the match in place of Tomi Juric. Can the 38-year old be the difference in yet another international tournament?
52' Australia’s dreams of advancing are being ripped away from them as they started the second half in the worst possible fashion. Aaron Mooy takes a corner-kick hoping to cut the deficit in half but Jedinak’s superb back-post header is pounced on immediately by Gallese.
P. Guerrero
Goal
50' PAOLO GUERRERO MAKES IT 2-0 FOR PERU! A brilliant one-two pass with Trauco sends Flores through and free into the penalty area. Flores sends a chip forward for Guerrero who, after letting the ball bounce once, turns and fires a volley which takes a touch off of the outstretched leg of Mark Milligan before nestling into the far corner of the goal!
48' Peru get into a good position on the left flank but Trauco’s cross is blocked well by Leckie who also does a great job to stop Edison Flores from swinging in a pass. Australia turn defence into attack but the long pass for Juric rolls into the penalty area for Gallese to pick up.
46' The referee blows his whistle and Australia get the second half underway – 45 minutes away from either a trip home or safe passage to the first knockout stage for the first time since the Germany 2006 edition of the tournament.
P. Aquino
Y. Yotún
46' Peru make a substitution at half time in midfield as Javier Aquino – who started Peru’s match against France – will enter the fray replacing Yoshimar Yotun.
For the result in the France-Denmark game to mean anything, Bert van Marwijk’s side must take care of their own business and wrestle victory from the jaws of defeat against Peru. The manager has game-changing options that he can call upon from the bench, with Daniel Arzani looking dangerous in his previous substitute’s appearance and Tim Cahill who has the experience, if not the legs to get the job done. Peru for their part have looked very composed, as they seem to be playing without the fear of a required result. Luis Advincula and Andre Carrillo have been exposing Australia’s left side all match – a pattern which could continue in the second period.
Australia started the match extremely disjointed in attack, failing on a number of occasions to link up in and around the penalty area. Ricardo Gareca’s side made their opponents pay for their lack of incisiveness when, on 18 minutes, Paolo Guerrero’s cross for Andre Carrillo was met by a venomous volley which flew past a diving Mat Ryan. After going a goal behind Robbie Kruse, Matthew Leckie and Tomas Rogic looked a lot sharper – though they could not capitalise on the point-blank chances they had.
45' + 2' HALF TIME: Australia 0-1 Peru.
45' + 1' The corner is immediately cleared by an Australian head and Advincula collects it just outside the area, opting to turn around and pass backwards to his goalkeeper as time expires.
45' Andre Carrillo wins a corner as the match enters into the first minute of added time at the end of the first half.
Y. Yotún
Yellow Card
45' Yoshimar Yotun is shown Peru’s first yellow card of the match for sliding in dangerously on Matthew Leckie in midfield.
43' Cueva bends in the delivery but its Sainsbury who meets the ball and smashes it out with a safety-first headed clearance. With only two minutes left in the first half, can Bert van Marwijk’s side go into the interval on level terms and give their fans some hope of advancement?
41' Advincula once again gets high up the pitch and gets into a tangle with Behich. This time, the referee decides that the Australian defender has used too much force, and gives a free-kick to Peru in roughly the same spot as Australia’s set-piece moments earlier.
39' Risdon eludes two challenges just outside the box on the right-hand side, but goes down and wins a free-kick after a third Peru player lunges in. It is a perfectly placed set-piece for a cross and Aaron Mooy is standing over it. It is Mooy who delivers the in-swinging ball, but Jedinak cannot head it backwards and into the net, missing the target completely.
37' Advincula is taken down in midfield by Kruse after a rather soft challenge, but the referee sides with Peru and gives the South American team a free-kick which is taken quickly and short. The ball is switched to the other side for Trauco who gets into the penalty area, but is given no room to fashion a cross and Mat Ryan can collect for a goal-kick.
35' Mooy’s set-piece is taken to the back post for Jedinak, but the Australian captain is unable to meet the cross and another opportunity goes begging.
34' HOW HAS LECKIE MISSED THAT CHANCE?! Rogic bursts through midfield and plays the ball through for Kruse who completely beats his marker. in the penalty area. The Australian number 10 then cuts the ball across the six-yard box for Leckie to tap it into an open net, but Christian Ramos gets back just in time and puts the ball out for a Mooy corner-kick.
33' A great chance for Leckie is wiped out after the linesman flags for offside. Leckie was clear through on goal after receiving an incisive pass from midfield, but the winger was slightly too eager and failed to hold his line. That should be a warning to Peru though, as there seems to be room to operate for the Socceroos.
31' Advincula lumbers down the right flank, engaging in a physical duel with Behich in the process. The Peru full-back goes to ground but the referee sees nothing wrong with the challenge and awards Australia a goal-kick.
30' An overzealous Risdon gives away a free-kick in Peru territory after charging down a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and fouling Trauco in the process.
29' Mooy takes the corner and puts it right on the penalty spot, but the only player there to meet the ball is the grateful Peru shot-stopper who takes the catch without any pressure whatsoever.
28' AMAZING RUN BY ROGIC BUT GALLESE DENIES HIM! Rogic rides the challenge of four different Peru defenders before getting into the penalty area and fashioning just enough space to take a shot which Gallese saves incredibly well from point-blank range – pushing the ball out for a corner.
26' Juric plays it forward for Kruse but the two fail to link up as Kruse neglects to make the forward run. Australia have it back in midfield however as they look to equalise and keep their dreams of a first knockout stage appearance since 2006 alive.
24' Yoshimar Yotun sends a pass between two Australian midfielders which releases Cueva, but the attacking midfielder is dragged down by Aaron Mooy. Peru have a free-kick just outside the penalty area which is taken by Yotun directly to Ryan who catches it on a bounce.
22' Leckie sends a high pass down the right touchline for Juric who gets on the end of it, but cannot turn the possession into a goal-scoring opportunity as Miguel Trauco is there to shield the ball out for a goal-kick.
20' Australia have it all to do now as they find themselves a goal behind in under 20 minutes. Leckie gets a chance from a header immediately after his side conceded, but the wide player sends his effort high over Gallese’s crossbar.
P. Guerrero
Assist
18' Captain Paolo Guerrero finally makes his mark on the tournament with a brilliant assist for Carrillo's beautiful volley.
A. Carrillo
Goal
18' WHAT A STRIKE FROM CARRILLO WHO MAKES IT 1-0 PERU! Paolo Guerrero latches onto a long-ball played over the top and gets free from Sainsbury before sending a cross to the other side of the penalty area for Carrillo who volleys the ball past Mat Ryan with incredible power! The goalkeeper had absolutely no chance with that thunderbolt!
16' Pedro Gallese throws the ball into touch as Christian Ramos looks to be struggling after taking Anderson Santamaria’s volleyed clearance off his chest – temporarily winding the centre-back. Australia take the throw and deliver it back to Peru’s goalkeeper who will resume play.
14' Despite already being eliminated, the Peru fans in the stadium are making themselves heard, urging their side forward at every possibility. These supporters have been desperate to see their nation in the World Cup for the last 36 years, and they are not allowing anything to ruin their party.
12' Juric wriggles free in the penalty area and lays the ball off to Rogic who is waiting at the top of the box. His snap-shot is blocked well by a Peru defender and Behich is unable to get onto the unclaimed ball as Advincula charges it down and gets his body in the way smartly.
M. Jedinak
Yellow Card
10' Mile Jedinak is shown a yellow card for a wildly dangerous high boot in midfield which catches Christian Cueva in the face. Peru take the free-kick quickly with a short pass as they look to build up an attack.
8' Juric gets into the penalty area and attempts a smart centring pass for Robbie Kruse but the Australian midfielder doesn’t tailor his run properly and allows Gallese to make a diving save unchallenged. That is a good bit of play from Australia who have been inching closer and closer to the Peru goal in the last two minutes.
6' Tomi Juric plays it on for Tomas Rogic but the second-striker is just slightly too slow and Christian Ramos clears it away with an over-the-shoulder volley.
4' Tomas Rogic wins a free-kick in his own half which is taken with a pass backwards after being charged down by Yoshimar Yotun. Both sides have started this fixture patiently, using their defence to get a strong foothold in the match. Mile Jedinak takes a pass from Trent Sainsbury and launches it long for Matthew Leckie whose cross is blocked.
2' Peru are holding possession in the early stages, knocking it about in defence – looking for an early opening. They lose the ball in their own half after an organised Australian press, but Luis Advincula does well to win a throw-in deep in his own half.
1' Peru take the opening kick-off and get their final World Cup match of 2018 underway!
The players are being led out of the tunnel and into the bright Sochi sun where they will await the national anthems of the two sides, with kick-off to follow shortly thereafter.
Ricardo Gareca makes two changes to the starting XI that took the field against France. In central defence, Anderson Santamaria will play instead of Alberto Rodriguez, while Renato Tapia and not Pedro Aquino will partner Yoshimar Yotun in midfield. One final piece of team news is the unavailability of Lokomotiv Moscow’s Jefferson Farfan – who is not fit enough for a place on the bench after suffering a head injury in training.
Bert van Marwijk is forced to change his side after employing the same starting line-up in Australia’s first two group games, but maintains the tried and trusted 4-4-1-1 formation. A shoulder injury to striker Andrew Nabbout will keep him out of the Socceroo’s final group game, with the manager opting to play Tomi Juric as the lone forward instead of experienced campaigner Tim Cahill or young sensation Daniel Arzani.
Peru substitutes: Alberto Rodriguez, Pedro Aquino, Jefferson Farfan, Raul Ruidiaz, Carlos Caceda, Jose Carvallo, Aldo Corzo, Miguel Araujo, Renato Tapia, Wilder Cartagena, Nilson Loyola, Paolo Hurtado, Andy Polo.
Peru Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Pedro Gallese; Miguel Trauco, Anderson Santamaria, Christian Ramos, Luis Advincula; Yoshimar Yotun, Renato Tapia; Edison Flores, Christian Cueva, Andre Carrillo; Paolo Guerrero.
Australia substitutes: Daniel Arzani, Massimo Luongo, Jackson Irvine, Andrew Nabbout, Dimitri Petratos, Jamie Maclaren, Danny Vukovic, Tim Cahill, Matthew Jurman, Milos Degenek, James Meredith, Brad Jones.
Australia Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Mathew Ryan; Aziz Behich, Mark Milligan, Trent Sainsbury, Josh Risdon; Robbie Kruse, Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak, Matthew Leckie; Tomas Rogic; Tomi Juric.
With 15 minutes before kick-off, it's about time we took a look at how the two sides will be lining up today! Let's begin with Australia.
Australia were a credit in the first match, losing in painfully close fashion to a stuttering France side. A 38th-minute penalty struck by Aston Villa’s Mile Jedinak wrestled back a point for the Socceroos in their second match – a 1-1 draw with Denmark. It was Jedinak’s second successfully converted penalty of the tournament, which accounts for both of Australia’s goals so far.
The Aussies still have it all to play for in Sochi, though progression to the knockout stages are slightly out of their control. A win for Bert van Marwijk’s side, coupled with a France victory over Denmark would send Australia through in second position – though it certainly will not be easy.
Two 1-0 losses to Denmark and France have condemned Peru to a bottom-two spot in Group C, though a win today would take them off the root of the table and into a respectable third-place finish in their first appearance at a World Cup since Spain hosted the tournament in 1982.
The Olimpiyskiy Stadion Fisht in Sochi will play host to the final match of Peru’s first World Cup in 36 years – as the sashed South Americans had their fate confirmed last match day with a narrow defeat to France. La Blanquirroja, despite failing to score in their first two fixtures, have been a credit to the tournament, as have their boisterous and unrelenting supporters.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Group C fixture between Australia and Peru from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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