Qatar 2022, Australia-Emirates 2-1, playoff with Peru

The Socceroos leap towards the World Cup in Qatar. Australia beats the United Arab Emirates (2-1) in the Asian play-off (between the two thirds of the group stage) and gives themselves the inter-zone playoff against Lapadula’s Peru, the last obstacle that separates them from the group stage of the next World Cup, scheduled for Monday 13 June. Decisive, on the neutral pitch in Doha, was the signing of Hrustic, who scored the winning goal in the 84th minute, after Irvine’s goals at the beginning of the second half, and the momentary equalizer, after a few minutes by Caio Canedo.

The match

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The match at Al Rayyan Stadium struggles to unlock: the United Arab Emirates, led on the bench by the Argentine Arruabarrena, have possession of the ball (55%) while the Australia of coach Arnold shoots more than their opponents (8 total shots to 6, even if the count of those in the mirror is equal: 4 for both national teams). The first half runs on the tracks of equilibrium, with the Emiratis wasting a very occasional occasion with Caio Canedo. Upon returning from the locker room the game lights up: Boyle’s assist for Irvine, who strikes Eisa for the Australian advantage (53 ‘). The Emirati reaction was immediate: in the 57th minute, Gaius sent the equal ball under the crossbar. At 80 ‘the substitute MacLaren touches a 1-2 for the Australians. A matter of minutes, because in the 84th minute, the match-winner Hrustic invents a shot from distance: the conclusion of the Eintracht Frankfurt player (fresh winner of the Europa League) is worth gold. And he sends Australia to the interzone play-off against Peru, fifth in the South American qualifiers. The winner will automatically go to group D of the World Cup, where she will find France, Denmark and Tunisia.