A distraught Luis Advíncula has apologised for the pain he caused “all of Peru”, immediately quitting the national team after he missed a crucial shot during the penalty shootout against Australia.
Peru’s World Cup dream is over after losing 5-4 to the Socceroos on penalties in Qatar.
The Peruvian team had the early advantage in the shootout after Martin Boyle missed the opening shot, but that was relinquished when Advíncula hit the left post with his attempt, the third of the penalty shootout.
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When Andrew Redmayne saved the sixth shot, the Socceroos had booked their place in the World Cup finals, while Peru, who beat Australia at the 2018 World Cup, will have to wait four years for redemption.
In an Instagram post that he has since deleted, but reported by multiple Peruvian outlets, Advíncula said he would no longer be available for national selection.
“First I apologise to my family and friends for the pain I caused to all of Peru,” he wrote.
“I am the only one responsible for this debacle and my life will not be enough to apologise.
“I got here today, I take a step to the side of the selection. I don’t think I have the strength to get up from this. To my colleagues, thank you very much for everything and sorry for so little.”
The 32-year-old has played more than 100 matches for Peru since his debut in 2010.
Peru’s captain, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, said the players will rally around those who are struggling with the emotion of their elimination.
“(I am) proud of my teammates that we got up in the face of adversity,” he said.
“We knew it would be a tough game and it was. We are sorry. It is a great pain for us. Now, it remains to support (the players) who are having a hard time.”
The coach of Peru, Argentine Ricardo Gareca, wouldn’t be drawn when asked for his reaction to the antics of Redmayne, who jumped from side to side, waving his arms as the Peruvians were about to take their penalty shots.
“If it is within the regulations, I have nothing to say, that is handled by the referee,” he said.
“The feelings in these moments of pain and frustration overwhelm us all. It is a great disappointment.
“It was a very tight game. We didn’t want to go to a penalty shootout.”
Peru has only qualified for the World Cup finals on five occasions, 1930, 1970, 1978, 1982 and 2018.
Gareca wouldn’t speculate on his future with the Peruvian team, with his contract ending with the loss to the Socceroos.
“This is not the time to talk about it now, once we get to Lima in time I’ll see what I do,” he said.
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