ABC News reporter Tony Armstrong has summed up the mood of Socceroos fans all around the country in a live broadcasting moment that will go down in Aussie sporting folklore.
Armstrong was down at Melbourne's Federation Square to watch the Socceroos qualify for their fifth straight World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Peru in Tuesday morning's playoff final.
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Substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne was the hero for the Aussies after being brought on by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold in the final minute of extra time to play a vital role in the shootout.
Redmayne - with his iconic 'Wiggles' routine in goals for the Socceroos - danced his way into Australian sporting history with the winning save as the Aussies took out the shootout 5-4 to seal their place in November's World Cup in Qatar.
The save sparked wild celebrations for football fans around Australia, with Armstrong part of a massive contingent of supporters at Fed Square.
In what will be remembered as one of the great live crosses in Aussie sporting history, Armstrong encapsulated just what the momentous moment meant for fans in Australia.
"We're through to the World Cup, yes!" Armstrong screamed as he was swamped by ecstatic Socceroos fans in scenes of pandemonium.
The passion and unbridled joy on the faces of fans was perfectly captured in a moment of live television that sent fans into a frenzy on social media.
Tony Armstrong ❤️❤️ Unbridled joy … This is exactly what it means to so many in Australia Who doesn’t love sport Tony Armstrong is the best sports commentator in Australia, maybe the world 😊😊😊😊 https://t.co/uuS12qjsLS
Absolutely loving Tony Armstrong. Don’t feel shy about going viral. We want you to host EVERYTHING from now on. Need a lil #tonyarmstrong everyday 🙌🎉👌✊😀 #Socceroos https://t.co/ovdAQ8wfgm
The moment Tony Armstrong sees Socceroos qualify for 2022 World Cup | AB... https://t.co/6NGDMOftfi via @YouTube GOLD!!!
— 💧🇺🇦Ian Gordon Tufrey (@IanTufrey) June 13, 2022
Tony Armstrong is THE man. https://t.co/RHLMlkUTFk
Tony Armstrong is the best! https://t.co/O40tWWVwO2
— Lisa D - we did it! Albo is PM (@Sheena_Punk) June 13, 2022
Waking up to Tony Armstrong’s reaction to the Socceroo’s World Cup qualifying made my day 😆 ABC journalism at its finest 😍 @Tonaaayy_ @abcnews @Socceroos
Arnold - who went into the Peru showdown as a man under pressure to keep his job - pulled off a stroke of genius to take Australia to a fifth-successive World Cup finals.
The decision to turn to Redmayne for the all-important shootout came after Australia had stunned the more-fancied Peruvians with their fight and organisation.
Peru had their chances to win the game, especially when substitute Edison Flores hit the post with a header in extra-time, but in the shootout Australia held their nerve to achieve something many back home didn't think was possible.
"I"m quite speechless because no-one in Australia gave us a chance," Arnold said.
"I'm accountable for the results.
"But I'm a coach and manager, my style is management and getting the best out of players and doing things face-to-face. Being on the training pitch with them.
"During COVID having to train and try to do meetings and talk to the players on Zoom meetings, it's not my style.
"I didn't like it at all and to be honest, there was times when I nearly walked away because it's not my style of coaching.
"The only reason I didn't walk away is because of the players and the sacrifices they've made."
Everything was against Australia heading into the contest.
Peru, the world No.22 were highly fancied to beat the Socceroos as they did at the 2018 World Cup, especially with approximately 12,000 fans cheering them on in the stands compared to roughly 500 Australian supporters.
Having battled through 120 minutes, the shootout began horribly for the Socceroos with Peru captain Pedro Gallese saving Martin Boyle's opener.
From there though the Socceroos didn't miss with Aaron Mooy, Craig Goodwin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jamie Maclaren and Awer Mabil all scoring from the spot before Redmayne's moment to shine.
Redmayne dived to his right and saved Peru substitute Alex Valera's penalty to spark celebrations for the Australians in front of their small supporter block.
Earlier, after a spirited opening, the first shot on target for either team came via Hrustic in the 81st minute but his long-range free kick was easily claimed by Gallese.
Four minutes later, left-back Aziz Behich picked up a loose ball and beat two Peruvians before shooting just wide from outside the box.
Hrustic nearly stole the win for Australia in the 88th minute when he was found by substitute Mabil's cutback but Gallese just managed to keep the midfielder's shot from squirming in.
Flores had Peru's first shot on target in the first period of extra-time before his header hit the post.
Arnold then turned to Redmayne moments before the final whistle, in a decision which will now go down in Australian sporting folklore.
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