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.

 

With front man Andrew Nabbout ruled out after dislocating his shoulder in the match against Denmark, Australia had to alter their starting line-up. Coach Bert van Marwijk could have chosen Jamie Maclaren who plays in a similar style by using pace and movement to upset defences. In the end he opted for the strength and holding play of Juric with Tim Cahill again left on the bench.

 

Peru made two changes with defenders Anderson Santamaria and Renato Tapia included. There were no changes up front despite being unable to find the net in their first two games.

 

 

It was against the run of play when Peru took the lead with their first threatening attack.

 

In the 18th minute Trent Sainsbury failed to control a long through ball and Paulo Guerrero’s cross to the far side of the penalty area was hit sweetly on the volley by Andre Carrillo back across Mat Ryan and into the far corner. The huge Peruvian following was finally able to celebrate a World Cup goal after their team had failed to score in their first two matches.

 

Three minutes later and they had a chance for a second as Christian Cueva’s free kick was glanced towards goal by Paolo Guerrero but straight to Ryan.

 

In the 27th minute Rogic looked as though he would strike the equaliser when a mazy run from the edge of the box took him through four defenders but his left foot effort lacked conviction and Gallese pushed the ball around the post for a corner.

 

The Socceroos then pieced together a clever move down the right but Mathew Leckie couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet to get away the shot but the assistant referee already had his flag up with Kruse well offside. However, in their next attack Kruse was again in the thick of things having been put clear by Rogic and his cross left Gallese stranded but, with the empty goal gaping, Christian Ramos put in a brilliant last ditch challenge to deny Leckie a tap in.

 

Leckie, who had been outstanding in the previous match against Denmark, was again causing problems and earned a free kick close to the penalty area in the 40th minute but Mooy's free kick was nodded wide by Sainsbury.

 

The first opportunity of the second half fell to Juric but he couldn’t control a long through ball from Mooy that would have left him one on one with Gallese.

 

Australia’s World Cup campaign was as good as over when Peru struck again in the 50th minute.

Cueva tried to slide the ball across the penalty box but the ball deflected off Mile Jedinak’s leg and fell invitingly for Guerrero who hooked the ball home past Ryan.

 

It was an unlucky moment for Australia’s captain but he almost made amends two minutes later when his header from Mooy’s corner was saved by Gallese.

 

Tim Cahill had been warming up and was immediately brought on to play in his fourth World Cup replacing Juric. Five minutes later he was joined by Daniel Arzani as the youngest Socceroo joined the squad’s oldest.

 

As Australia built pressure Behich's drive was deflected wide of the goal and Cahill almost had one of his magic moments from the resulting corner but, again, his goal bound shot was blocked by the Peruvian defence.

 

Arzani then tried an enterprising shot from distance in the 67th minute with the ball flying not far over the crossbar

 

Four minutes later and Behich, who had a fine match down the left flank, pulled the ball back across goal but not quite far enough for Cahill to reach.

 

With nine minutes to go Peru came close to leaving Australia with an unjust scoreline when Edison Flores hit the post when he should have put away Cueva’s pass but he was redeemed by a flag for off-side.

 

Australia’s last chance of reducing the three goals they now needed vanished when Jedinak struck a 25 metre free kick over the crossbar.

 

It is Denmark that will travel to Nizhny Novgorod to take on Croatia in the round of 16 with France taking on the runners up in Group D in Moscow.

 

Australia entered the World Cup placed 36th in FIFA’s rankings with their group opponents all ranked in the top 12. It was always going to be a tough ask for them to progress to the next stage and, although they didn’t achieve their ambitions they can take great heart from their performances.

 

They can look back at the tournament with pride at the way that they played and they will have gained respect from neutrals, solidified the belief of their supporters and should have gained some new fans.

 

Van Marwijk, in a few months, brought organisation, resilience and confidence to the team. He said, himself, that they did everything that he asked of them and they had clearly impressed him with their determination and endeavours.

 

One point from their three games will feel like a poor return but, in the end winning is all about scoring goals.

 

Australia’s only success came in the way of two penalties from Mile Jedinak as they failed to crack any of the three defences in open play.  It left questions over the use of Cahill and Arzani in particular but it also left an excellent base for new coach Graham Arnold to work with leading into the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates in January.