Ricardo Gareca was true to his word. Before Peru took on France in the second match of their World Cup group in Ekaterinburg on Thursday, he made it clear that he saw no reason to abandon the approach that had secured his side a place at the tournament. “We are going to go out to try to win the game,” he said. “We are used... to living on the edge.”
That was how Peru had played in their opener against Denmark. Christian Cueva missed a penalty, Paolo Guerrero back-heeled just wide, and they regularly put together neat moves without quite fashioning shooting opportunities of equivalent quality. One quick break, one well-weighted pass and a calm finish produced the goal that won Denmark the game.
That left Peru on the precipice, requiring at least a draw against France to keep their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 alive. They started quickly, and from there on consistently looked to progress the ball forward into the final third. While the difference in individual quality between the sides eventually showed in a 1-0 defeat, they were far from overawed. Pedro Aquino was unlucky to strike the crossbar with a swerving shot early into the second half.
A second loss meant that Peru became the fourth side to be mathematically eliminated from Russia 2018. There were tears on the pitch and in the stands come the final whistle, but the disappointment at failing to go further on their return to the competition after a 36-year absence was tempered somewhat by the feeling they had at least gone out on their own terms, having played their football, taken the initiative, sought victory.
As the Peruvian author Daniel Alarcon put it afterwards: “I’m not sad. I’m proud.”
“I cannot fault the guys for anything,” Gareca said. “The image Peru left was positive.”
World Cups are short tournaments, often decided by fine margins, and that was how it felt for Peru. Even the scheduling of their matches wasn’t particularly kind. An opener against Australia and a final match against a potentially already qualified France, for instance, would have possibly offered them a better chance of reaching the knockout rounds.
The key now is whether Peru can build on the positives from their qualification campaign and showings in Russia. Gareca has done excellent work since taking over in early 2015, forming a side who play attractive attacking football in line with Peru’s traditional style. Only five of the squad play in Europe, but as a collective they are impressive.
Peru’s football federation have already made it clear that their priority is to agree an extension to Gareca’s contract that would see him remain in charge for the 2022 World Cup cycle. Jefferson Farfan was one of a number of players to say that they must continue on the same path in the wake of Thursday’s defeat. The likes of him, Guerrero and Alberto Rodriguez are unlikely to be around in four years time, but many of the squad still will be.
First, though, comes an opportunity to end their World Cup participation with victory against Australia on Tuesday. Peru have been superbly supported in Russia and would love to give something back. “We are eternally grateful,” Farfan said. “We are going to go out to give them some joy in our last match of the World Cup.”
