Australia were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup in the group stages courtesy of a 2-0 defeat to Peru in their final Group C clash on Tuesday afternoon.
The Socceroos needed to beat Peru to stand any chance of progressing to the round of 16, but goals from Andre Carrillo and Paolo Guerrero saw the South Americans collect all three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.01pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup coverage continues from Sochi as Australia take on Peru in Group C. Australia currently sit third in the section on one point, and the Socceroos have to win this afternoon to stand any chance of making the round of 16. That said, a victory would only be enough if Denmark lose to France, and a swing in goal difference also occurs. Stay tuned for the action!
2.04pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for this Group C clash. Australia centre-forward Andrew Nabbout was a huge doubt after dislocating his shoulder against Denmark - has he made it? Let's run through the two XIs for this huge football match...
2.07pmTEAMS!
AUSTRALIA: Ryan; Risdon, Sainsbury, Milligan, Behich; Mooy, Rogic, Jedinak; Leckie, Juric, Kruse
PERU: Gallese; Advincula, Ramos, Santamaria, Trauco; Yotun, Tapia; Carrillo, Cueva, Flores; Guerrero
2.10pmAustralia boss Bert van Marwijk has made just the one change to the team that started against Denmark last time out, and that comes in attack as Tomi Juric replaces Nabbout. Nabbout suffered a dislocated shoulder during the 1-1 draw in Samara, and as expected, misses out this afternoon. Otherwise it is the same XI for the Socceroos, meaning that Tim Cahill stays on the bench.
2.13pmAs for Peru, head coach Ricardo Gareca has made two changes to the team that started against France last time out, with Anderson Santamaria and Renato Tapia coming in for Pedro Aquino and Alberto Rodriguez. Jefferson Farfan misses out on a spot in the Peru squad this afternoon, meanwhile, after suffering a 'traumatic brain injury' during a training session at the weekend.
2.16pmThe two teams are in, and we are now just about 45 minutes from kickoff. Let me just run through the current situation in Group C as France are also taking on Denmark this afternoon. France have already qualified for the round of 16, and Didier Deschamps' side sit top on six points. Second-placed Denmark have four points, with Australia in third on one point, and Peru bottom on zero points.
2.22pmAs mentioned, France have already qualified for the round of 16, and they need a point against Denmark to ensure that they top the group. Denmark, meanwhile, need a point of their own to qualify, and would top the group with a win against Deschamps' team. That said, Denmark will also qualify if Australia fail to beat Peru in this match. The atmosphere is building nicely here!
2.25pmAustralia, meanwhile, must beat Peru here, and hope that Denmark lose. A swing in goal difference must also occur to see the Socceroos finish in second position. It is certainly still open, but a lot would have to go Australia's way in order to book their spot in the knockout round of the competition.
2.28pmAustralia suffered a 2-1 defeat to France in their Group C opener on June 16, before drawing 1-1 with Denmark last week. There has been a lot to admire about their performances in Russia, and they were unfortunate to lose against France, with a late deflected effort from Paul Pogba proving decisive.
2.35pmIt seems incredible to think that Australia have only been past the group stages of a World Cup on one occasion, with that occurring in 2006. The Socceroos reached the round of 16 in that particular competition, but fell at the group stages in both the 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
2.38pmAustralia have already improved on their performance at the 2014 World Cup - when they lost all three matches. They could well collect four points from three group matches and still fail to qualify, which would be tough to take. That said, Peru are certainly capable of causing a lot of problems here.
2.42pmPeru were absolutely flying in their build-up to this summer's competition. Indeed, they beat Croatia, Iceland, Scotland and Saudi Arabia in their four pre-tournament friendlies, and looked capable of making it through this group. They lost 1-0 to Denmark in their Group C opener, however, before suffering a 1-0 defeat to France on June 21 to exit the competition.
2.48pmRicardo Gareca's side were actually unfortunate against both Denmark and France, who found it difficult to create opportunities. There will be worse teams to make it through the group stages this summer, and Peru can take plenty of encouragement from their performances in Russia.
2.52pmPeru made the quarter-finals of the 1970 World Cup, but they had not featured in the finals of this competition since 1982 before managing to qualify for the 2018 competition. Los Incas will be looking to give their vocal supporters something to cheer in their final match of this year's World Cup.
2.55pmHere we go then; it is all comes down to this afternoon for Australia. The Socceroos must beat Peru and then look for a favour from France. A lot needs to go their way to book a spot in the round of 16, but it is still very much open. Be sure to stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates!
0 minKICKOFF! Peru kick things off here...
2 min... it must be said that there is a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon, with both sets of supporters in fine voice. Let's hope for an open and entertaining game of football here.
4 minAustralia attempt to threaten down the left as Mooy feeds Kruse before regaining the ball, but Tapia is on hand to make the challenge. It is all very crowded in the middle of the park at the moment, and both teams have been a little bit sloppy in possession. Four minutes on the clock.
6 minJedinak fires over the Peru crossbar with an effort from outside the penalty box.
8 minAustralia are in control of the possession at the moment as they pass and probe in the final third of the field. Juric makes a good run into the Peru box before delivering across goal, but Gallese collects.
10 minBOOKING! Jedinak (Australia) is booked for a high boot on Cueva.
12 minPeru have had more of the ball in the last couple of minutes as they look to work their way into this match. Just a reminder that Peru cannot qualify for next round having lost both group games thus far.
14 minRogic lines up a shot on the edge of the box, but Yotun is on hand to make the block, and Peru eventually clear their lines following a period of pressure. Still goalless with 14 minutes played here.
16 minAustralia continue to move the ball in the final third of the field, but Peru are nice and tight at the back. Kruse does manage to break into a dangerous area, but Santamaria hooks it clear.
18 minBoth sets of supporters remain in fine voice, but not too much is happening on the field at the moment. Both teams have had possession, but neither has done too much with it thus far!
18 minGOAL! Australia 0-1 Peru (Carrillo)
19 minOh my goodness me! Stunning! Peru take the lead in the 18th minute as Guerrero lifts a cross towards the far post, and Carrillo finds the bottom corner with a quite wonderful volley!
20 minThat really was some hit from Carrillo, and Australia must now come from behind if they are to stand a chance of making the round of 16. Peru's goal is excellent news for Denmark.
22 minHalf-chance for Australia as Leckie meets a cross from Behich, but his header was always rising over the crossbar. The Socceroos really need to launch a fast response here.
24 minAustralia continue to enjoy plenty of the ball, but their latest attack comes to a close when Juric is ruled offside. The Peruvian fans are having a wonderful time inside the stadium at the moment.
26 minSAVE! Ryan is on hand to keep out a flicked header from Guerrero.
28 minStill goalless in Group C's other match between Denmark and France, and as it stands, France will be winning the group with Denmark going through in second. Australia have to win this game to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout round, but they trail to an excellent Carrillo strike.
28 minSAVE! Smart goalkeeping from Gallese to keep out a strike from Rogic, who had danced into a dangerous position before attempting to find the back of the net with a low strike.
30 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Australia are having plenty of the ball at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in forward areas. Peru, however, are defending well.
32 minCHANCE! Leckie has a shot blocked inside the Peru box as Australia continue to threaten. Kruse, however, might well have been offside, and the referee has acknowledged it.
34 minCarrillo has been the star of the show thus far this afternoon, and Peru's number 18 has just produced a wonderful piece of skill to turn away from Risdon in a wide position. Yotun eventually had the strike for Peru, but his effort was always moving wide of Mat Ryan's post here.
35 minCHANCE! Incredible chance for Australia as Kruse breaks into a wide position before delivering low towards Leckie, but Peru somehow manage to turn behind. What an opportunity!
37 minAustralia have certainly had their moments in this first period, but Peru still lead with 37 minutes on the clock. It must be said that the opening half of this football match has flown past.
39 minPass, pass, pass from Australia, but Peru are holding their shape well here.
41 minAustralia win a free kick in a dangerous position outside the Peru box; Mooy delivers, but Sainsbury can only head wide of the post. The central defender might have done better there.
43 minPeru now have a free kick of their own in a dangerous position as Behich brings Advincula to the deck. Yotun is standing over the set piece in a wide position down the Peruvian right...
44 min... Australia easily clear their lines.
45 minBOOKING! Yotun (Peru) is booked for a late tackle on Leckie.
45+1 minHALF-TIME: Australia 0-1 Peru
3.46pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Peru leading Australia courtesy of a wonderful strike from Carrillo in the 18th minute. Australia have had their moments in the final third of the field, but the Socceroos have plenty of work to do in the second period here.
3.51pmSTATISTICS! Australia had 56% of the ball in the first period, but only hit the target from one of their six attempts. Peru, meanwhile, had three attempts in the first half - two of which were on target. Two yellow cards to report here - Jedinak (10 min) for Australia and Yotun for Peru (45 min).
3.56pmBENCH WATCH! Australia boss Van Marwijk has a number of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Arzani, Cahill, Irvine and Luongo all capable of making a difference in the second period. Peru, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Aquino, Hurtado and Ruidiaz.
46 minRESTART! Australia resume the action here...
47 min... PERU SUB! Aquino has replaced Yotun for Peru at the interval.
49 minJust a reminder that Australia need to collect all three points in this match to stand any chance of progressing to the last-16 stage of the competition. That said, Denmark are currently picking up the point they need against France. Peru, meanwhile, are just enjoying themselves here.
50 minAdvincula finds space in a wide position before delivering a cross into Guerrero, but Sainsbury does well to make the clearance. Not too much to report in the early stages of the second period.
50 minGOAL! Australia 0-2 Peru (Guerrero)
51 minPeru have their second of the match in the 50th minute as Guerrero manages to hook the ball into the back of the net from inside the Australia box. Huge goal in the context of this group!
53 minJedinak heads into the arms of the Peruvian goalkeeper as Australia look to hit back here.
54 minAUSTRALIA SUB! Cahill replaces Juric for Australia.
56 minGood pressure from Australia in the last couple of minutes as they threaten with two corners in quick succession, but Peru manage to clear their lines. Still 2-0 to the South Americans here.
58 minLittle over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and Australia need three goals without reply to stand any chance of making the round of 16. It really is some ask from this position.
58 minAUSTRAILIA SUB! Arzani replaces Kruse for Australia.
60 minCLOSE! Behich sees his effort deflected just wide of the Peru post.
61 minBOOKING! Arzani (Australia) is booked for a foul on Flores.
63 minPERU SUB! Hurtado replaces Tapia in Peru's second change.
66 minBOOKING! Rogic (Australia) is booked for a foul on Cueva.
67 minHalf-chance for Australia as Arzani finds himself free outside the Peru box, but the ball was always rising over the crossbar. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in this match.
69 minAustralia continue to force the issue, and they are preparing to make another change here.
71 minAUSTRALIA SUB! Irvine replaces Rogic for Australia.
73 minLittle over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and Australia continue to have plenty of the ball. Peru have defended well this afternoon, however, and will want to secure a clean sheet here.
75 minLeckie breaks down the right before delivering a low cross towards Cahill, but Ramos is on hand to make the clearance once again. Peru's number 15 has been very good this afternoon.
77 minPeru are very deep at the moment as Australia continue to force the issue, but chances have been few and far between for the Socceroos in this match, and Risdon has just been ruled offside.
79 minDenmark are still holding France in the group's other match, and therefore Australia would not be through even if they were winning this match - as it stands of course. Peru to make another change...
79 min... PERU SUB! Carrillo is replaced by Cartagena for Peru.
79 minBOOKING! Hurtado (Peru) is booked for a foul on Risdon.
81 minPOST! Flores rattles the post for Peru, but the offside flag was raised.
83 minJedinak has just sent a free kick harmlessly over the Peru crossbar here.
85 minLittle over five minutes of the second period remaining, and it is all but over for Australia, who need a miracle in the latter stages of both Group C matches to book their spot in the round of 16.
87 minPeru have had a number of chances to create opportunities on the counter-attack this afternoon, but have been very wasteful on the ball. Australia are throwing everyone forward at the moment.
89 minAustralia continue to deliver crosses into the Peru box, but too many have been too close to the goalkeeper, who has been smart with his handling. Still 2-0 with 89 minutes on the clock.
89 minBOOKING! Milligan (Australia) is booked for a foul on Cueva.
90+1 minWe are into the first of four additional minutes at the end of the 90.
90+3 minNot too much happening at the moment, with Australia in possession without really threatening to score. That has been the story of the second period, and Peru deserve their victory here.
90+4 minFULL-TIME: Australia 0-2 Peru
4.54pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Peru recording a 2-0 win over Australia. Both teams exit in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup, but Peru have moved above Australia into second position in Group C. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you next time!