Australia bowed out of the 2018 World Cup after losing 2-0 to Peru in front of 40,073 spectators at Fisht Stadium in Sochi. A superb volley by Andre Carillo’s (18’) and a neatly taken second by Peru’s captain Paolo Guerrero (50’) were enough for Peru to take all three points and leave Australia at the bottom of Group C.
Once again, it was a lesson to the Socceroos of the importance of taking chances as they created fourteen attempts at goal to Peru’s four.
After defeat to France in their opening match and a draw against Denmark, Australia knew that only a win would give them a chance of progressing to the knock-out stages. Even then they would be depending on France to defeat Denmark in their match that kicked-off at the same time in Moscow.
There was concern before that game that those teams would conjure up a draw that would allow France to progress as group winners and Denmark to take second spot which was exactly as it played out with the first goalless game of the tournament.
Australia had started slowly in both of their first two matches but this time they bossed the first ten minutes. The first attempt of the match came from long range when Josh Risdon tried his chances. Moments later Robbie Kruse sent Tom Rogic away but he lacked the pace to make an opportunity. Tomi Juric then had Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese scrambling to smother his cross.