Football World Cup

In wild, euphoric scenes Australia bested Peru 5-4 in a nailbiting penalty shootout in Doha on Tuesday morning (AEST).

Coach Graham Arnold made a bombshell selection gamble in the final minute of extra time by taking captain Mat Ryan out of the game to put Andy Redmayne in goals — and it proved to be one of the greatest tactical decisions Australian football has ever known.

Hoping to book a spot in a fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup, the Socceroos dominated early, but failed to break the deadlock.

Megan Rapinoe's penalty and Rose Lavelle's fine run and finish gave the defending champions victory in the second half, after resilient first-half defending from the Dutch.

Veteran winger Rapinoe's calmly-slotted opener came from a spot-kick awarded after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, at the end of a tournament in which the system has been a major talking point.

Oceania is set to get an automatic qualifying spot in an expanded 48-team tournament, which is proposed to come into effect in 2026.

There is also a half place for a second team from Oceania to go through to a final qualifying competition.

The Acting CEO of the Solomon Islands Football Federation, Joseph Boso, said there was a bigger incentive to drive development because it was a clearer path to qualification.

Ashkan Dejagah put the home side ahead from the penalty spot after ten minutes, as Asia's top ranked team took a commanding 4-0 lead into half-time at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun bagged two goals each, with substitute Mehdi Torabi capping a clinical display with a final goal minutes from the end.

Defeat means the Mateo relinquish top spot in Group D to their next opponents, Oman, who beat Turkmenistan 3-1.