Peru did its homework this Tuesday and keeps the World Cup dream of Qatar 2022 alive.
Gianluca Lapadula and Yoshimar Yotún were the Bicolor’s heroes by scoring the goals in the 2-0 win over Paraguay on the last day of the Conmebol qualifiers.
Now those led by the Argentine Ricardo Gareca will have to play the playoff against the winner of the Asian duel between the United Arab Emirates and Australia.
Colombia and Chile, therefore, were eliminated.
Although the Colombians beat Venezuela 0-1 on their visit, their 23 points were not enough to overcome the 24 of the Peruvian team.
Chile at home had the obligation to beat Uruguay and wait for a combination of results, but ended up losing 0-2.
Party in Lima
A packed National Stadium in the city of Lima was dressed in red and white to support Gareca’s team.
The joy came almost from the start, as Lapadula scored the first goal at minute 5. The striker slipped between two Paraguayan defenders and pushed the ball through the center of the area that hit the right post and entered the goal.
The goal cry was repeated almost at the end of the first half, when Yotún scored with a scissor kick in the small area and blew up the National Stadium.
With this advantage, the second half was a formality, with Peru managing their advantage and the Paraguayans, who arrived without any chance at the World Cup, trying to avoid a landslide.
Unlike in the past, the playoff match will be played on a neutral court.
It will be a single game in Doha, Qatar, next June, when the World Cup groups are already defined.
The World Cup this time will also have an unusual schedule, as it will take place between November and December.
The Peruvian fans lived a dream. By Guillermo Olmo, BBC Mundo correspondent in Peru
Nothing else was talked about all week in Lima.
The big date was the match against Paraguay at the National Stadium in Lima.
Throughout the day the stadium was surrounded by a festive crowd convinced of Peru’s victory. It was a long wait enlivened by the music band of the National Police of Peru and the revelry of the privileged with a ticket for a sporting event that paralyzed the country.
In the end, the wait was worth it.
The Peruvian fans lived a dream, so much so that at the end of the game no one wanted to leave.
