Peru 2-0 New Zealand
Wild scenes greeted Peru’s World Cup win at the Estadio Nacional de Lima as the hosts picked up the final place for the finals in Russia next year.
The two-goal win was pretty much expected, with betting odds well in the hosts’ favour after a stalemate in the first leg in Wellington. But in one of the most crucial football games in the Peruvians’ history, the goals were greeted with an explosion of ecstasy and relief.
It’s been 36 years since the tenth-best team in FIFA’s rankings last graced the world stage, but the expectant fans only had to wait 28 minutes for the New Zealand net to bulge. After firing some warning shots, Jefferson Farfan stepped up to smash his 23rd international goal. His unstoppable volley flew past the All White’s keeper Stefan Marinovic by a deflection off defender Michael Boxall.
New Zealand skipper Winston Reid had a chance to level before half-time, rising well at a corner before directing his header wide. And it was game over on 65 minutes when Christian Ramos went up for a corner to poke the home and spark joyful celebrations in the crowd.
All Whites’ coach Anthony Hudson turned to star striker Chris Wood, and although he had an impact, it was too little and too late. Peru are through, and their high FIFA ranking places them in Pot Two when the draw for the finals is made.
In the meantime, the government has called a one-day holiday; there’ll be a few sore heads in Peru tomorrow!
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