Andrew Redmayne said he was “no hero” but the internet thought differently after the goalkeeper’s wobbly limbed antics gave the Socceroos a famous penalty shootout win – and launched a thousand memes.
The Australia goalkeeper channelled his inner octopus on the goalline in Tuesday’s win-or-bust World Cup qualifying play-off against Peru before making the decisive save to send the Socceroos to their fifth straight World Cup.
REDMAYNE MAKES THE SAVE! 🧤
— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) June 13, 2022
The Socceroos are through to the World Cup after some Penalty Shootout heroics from super-sub Andrew Redmayne!#AUSvPER pic.twitter.com/8eVuQd9jFc
This is incredibly good shit from @Tonaaayy_. Absolute scenes hahaha pic.twitter.com/ExdVx4sFtR
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) June 13, 2022
Whether he liked it or not, Redmayne’s save to deny Alex Valera instantly elevated him to national hero status – putting him in the same lofty echelons as the likes of Cathy Freeman, Don Bradman, Kylie Minogue and Alf Stewart. It was unclear whether calls for a statue to be made were tongue-in-cheek.
But it was the tactics he employed while Peru players were waiting to take their penalties that attracted a great deal of interest during and after the shootout.
While it is not unusual for goalkeepers to move around on their line in an effort to put off the penalty taker, the extent of Redmayne’s movements are remarkable and have earned him the nickname “the pink/grey Wiggle”, a reference to the colour of his keeper’s shirt and the popular music band.
Redmayne in goal #AUSvPER pic.twitter.com/siiPldA2aT
— Matt W-S (@Yakcall) June 13, 2022
It should not have come as a surprise to the Peru team though – Redmayne is well known for his pre-penalty manoeuvres and used them to good effect in the A-League Men grand final two years ago.
Some likened his jelly-like arm and leg movements while moving up and down the goalline to moves more suitable to a dancefloor.
Australia goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne before every Peru penaltypic.twitter.com/pDqRNKjf2V
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) June 13, 2022
andrew redmayne before every peru penalty: pic.twitter.com/9NPqLiqvKb
— Arron 🏳️🌈 (@Arron1Smith) June 13, 2022
Caption this! 😍
— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) June 13, 2022
Our national hero, Andrew Redmayne 🇦🇺#AUSvPER #WeAreALeagues pic.twitter.com/k5WoWcm01o
Redmayne had only been introduced off the substitute’s bench in the dying moments of extra-time, replacing captain Mat Ryan specifically with the shootout in mind, for his first appearance in a Socceroos shirt this qualifying campaign.
The Arnie era of the Socceroos going to live or die at the hands of Andrew Redmayne - either way an incredible way for this qualification process to end.
— Nick Stoll (@NickStoll) June 13, 2022
Andrew Redmayne about to get free pints for life. Come on Grey Wiggle
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) June 13, 2022
His feats were instantly labelled “iconic” on Twitter, as he entered Australian legend alongside other greats from sport and entertainment.
Kylie Minogue, Alf Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Barnes…
— Damien Quinn 🎨 (@damiendraws) June 13, 2022
You can add Andrew Redmayne to the list of Aussie Icons now 🇦🇺
Congrats @Socceroos pic.twitter.com/qlw2ZJGm7M
Andrew Redmayne has just become as iconic as Cathy Freeman, Mark Shwarzer & Don Bradman.
— Eli (@ElMengem) June 13, 2022
Five mins ago he had never played a qualifier. Now he’s probably going to sign every commercial deal in AUS this summer.
This is the stupidest most beautiful sport in the world.
Despite the lavish praise, Redmayne remained humble in the moment, and played down his influence on the result while paying tribute to his teammates, who will contest the tournament in Qatar later this year in a group with France, Denmark and Tunisia.
"I'm no hero, I just played my role - like everyone else did tonight"
— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) June 13, 2022
Socceroos keeper Andrew Redmayne reflects on the heroics that carried Australia to their fifth straight World Cup #AUSvPER pic.twitter.com/JOGPFeiZZz
'We've done it!' 🇦🇺
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 13, 2022
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 👑
Andrew Redmayne reacts to a historic night for @Socceroos 🙌 pic.twitter.com/iHA5MtilHM
