After an absence of 36 years, Rospigliosi wasn't missing out on watching his beloved La Blanquirroja play in Russia and small details like no ticket or fan ID didn’t faze him - it was the 2018 World Cup or bust.

Leaving his Latin American grocery store Tienda Latina in Ashfield to the care of a friend, Rospigliosi embarked on his quest to Russia and didn’t care if it was just for one game.

“Why not?” he said speaking to FourFourTwo.

“I wanted to support my team and see the euphoria of all the Peru fans together and everybody screaming and jumping – I just knew that had I to get into that wagon.”

With Russia being strict with fans who had no tickets and no fan ID, Rospigliosi benefited from Peru’s good diplomatic ties with the host country and eased past security at Moscow airport.

After navigating long queues, he eventually got his ticket for the Denmark v Peru game and his fan ID - he was set but getting to the Mordovia Arena was now his biggest issue.

With the game on the next day Rospigliosi organised a 2am pickup with Peru fans he met in a bar but the bus never arrived.

After calling a Russian cab driver and parting with €850 (AUS $1,343) he finally made it to Saranz nine hours later and soon enough was able to take in the atmosphere of Peru’s opening group game.

“I met up with a number of Australian-based Peruvians and as we headed to the stadium it was sea of red,” he said.

“Three quarters of the stadium was full of Peru fans and just before the game started they played an old classical Peruvian song and everyone sang the lyrics, ‘if I’m going to die please bury me back on earth in Peru'.

“We also chanted the fan song throughout the game, ‘How am I not going to love you my beloved Peru the one that gave birth to me.’

“It was some pretty emotional shit man.”

Unfortunatley for Rospigliosi he not only saw Peru lose 1-0 to Demark but he also missed his country’s second game defeat against France while he was in transit back to Australia.

After all the cost and the time travelling to and from Russia, Rospigliosi doesn’t care if his team won or lost, the passionate fan was just happy to be there.

“I would have done it not just for one game but half a game!” he said.

“There is nothing that can pay for that kind of thing, the way the crowd were and the Russians as well.

“One of our players Jefferson Farfan plays for the Russian League champions and every time they walked past us they yelled, ‘Farfan, Farfan, Lokomotiv Moscow, Lokomotiv’ and  they were taking photos with us and we were all chanting ‘Russia, Russia.’

“It was a ball. I just can’t describe the feeling it was amazing. It was definitely worth it.”

Ahead of Peru’s final group game against Socceroos Rospigliosi warned Australian fans that the South Americans will not be easy beats despite having no chance to progress out of the group.

“For Peru it’s important to win to give back to the fans, it has that pride thing, it has to win,” he said.

“Peru has got a very good team, they are more skilful and they treat the ball better. Australia is physically strong and very hard to beat especially in the air but it’s about the pride of winning the game.

“I’m pretty sure Australia can win but on paper Peru should win.

“But for me personally, I’ve been living in Australia since 1997 and I want the Socceroos to win.

“My heart says Peru but I also support the country that has given me a place to live and I believe they can go through.”