Beach had no idea either and says he would have loved to have had the chance to deny Egypt, as Socceroos boss Tony Popovic conceded the switch-up didn't work.
The crowd at Dallas Stadium was stunned when Beach, who had just made a stunning save to take the game locked at 1-1 into extra-time, was hooked for Ryan just before the shootout.
It was reminiscent of Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal turning to Tim Krul to snatch a shootout victory over Costa Rica in 2014, but without the same result.
Ryan, who was famously hooked for Andrew Redmayne for spot-kicks in 2022 qualifying, couldn't save any of Egypt's four converted penalties while Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed theirs in a 4-2 loss.
"I first got word (when) myself and (Paul) Izzo, the other goalkeeper, were told to stay warm just before half time of extra time," Ryan said.
"I got told that if we weren't going to make any more subs, that right at the end they'd put me in there.
"I prepared, of course, as if I was going to play before the game, or as if I was going to be in that scenario - as I always do.
"But unfortunately, (I'm) hurting at the moment because I wasn't able to produce for myself, for my teammates, and for the country. Hurting would be an understatement."
Beach, 22, usurped Ryan as starting goalkeeper before the World Cup and turned in a stunning tournament.
He certainly didn't see his substitution coming.
"I found out at the same time you guys did," Beach said.
"There's obviously a plan that was put in place, and it wasn't for us to know about. Our job is just to focus on the game and what's happening in the moment.
"Obviously, there was a general decision and discussion that was had. And that's it. The coaches made a decision.
"And, as far as it goes, Maty and I, he had to do the job; whatever works best for the team and brings the best outcome for our team.
"I would have loved to be in the penalty shootout.
"But like I said, that's the decision that the boss has made. There's no other feelings; I respect him and respect that decision."
Popovic said he'd leaned into Ryan's experience when making the call.
"OK, it didn't work, so we can look at many things in the reasons behind it," Popovic said.
"But Maty is experienced and I think if you look at his record in saving penalties, Patrick is new as a goalkeeper, not just in with the national team, but even in club football.
"And I just felt that Maty's experience would be the difference.
"In the end it didn't work out that way, but not, not because of Maty's poor judgement or lack of ability. They took really good penalties."
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