World Cup 2022: It’s All To Play For In CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers

Colombia vs Peru

I have had the pleasure of watching Colombia on three occasions in the last three and a half years.

One was on a tense evening in Russia when the South Americans pushed England all the way before bowing out in a penalty shoot-out defeat in the World Cup.

The most recent was the following summer when they edged out Paraguay in the Copa America in a group match by which time they had already reached the quarter-finals.

Fast forward two and a half years and the stakes remain high again with World Cup qualifying at stake and potentially five teams vying for one automatic place.

That’s because Brazil and Argentina have already qualified for Qatar 2022 and Ecuador are in a healthy position leaving Los Cafeteros vying with Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Bolivia for that all important final CONMEBOL qualification berth.

The top four teams will earn a direct spot at football’s showpiece tournament later this year while the fifth-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental play-off.

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With only goal difference separating these two nations (Colombia are fourth and Peru fifth), you don’t need me to tell you how important this clash is in Barranquilla.

Talking Points

Certainly, there is scope for plenty of World Cup qualifying highlights.

The hosts start as favourites but they will know they face a buoyant Peruvian side hot on the heels of back-to-back qualifying victories in November.

Ricardo Gareca’s side have proven an entertaining watch and their rise to 22^nd in the FIFA world rankings (Colombia are 16^th) has surprised me.

This already represents a triumph for Peru, who were bottom of the table when the action resumed in September. Just as he did with the 2016 Copa Centenario, Gareca used last year’s Copa America to regroup and rally and Peruvian football now has a swagger about it.

Colombia should still be far too strong though with the likes of James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Porto forward Luis Diaz and Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado in their ranks.

Midfielder Victor Cantillo has also been called up with the 28-year-old’s inclusion following the withdrawals of Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma and Atalanta forward Luis Muriel (Covid-19).

For Peru, there remains no Paolo Guerrero as he continues his recovery from injury, although watch out for Italian-born Peruvian Gianluca Lapadula who is fast becoming a new icon for the national team.

Ricardo Gareca prepares Peru as they take on Colombia in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers — Peru coach Ricardo Gareca during their match against Brazil

They will surely need more than that though in their bid to reach successive World Cups after a 26-year absence.

History

Since they met for the very first time in the hitherto unknown Bolivarian Games, a match Peru won 4-2, there has usually been plenty of excitement when these two meet.

Colombia certainly hold the recent upper hand with Peru winning only one of their last 12 clashes.

That is fairly fresh in the memory though as it came in the Copa America last summer when Sergio Pena and an own goal sealed a 2-1 success. Miguel Borja replied for Colombia with a penalty.

Colombia gained revenge just a few weeks later with a 3-2 victory in the tournament’s third-place play-off as goals from Cuadrado and Diaz (two), including a last-minute winner, sealed the bronze medal position.

Yoshimar Yotún and Gianluca Lapadula had kept Peru in the hunt.

The last time Peru won on Colombian soil was in 2011 – a 2-0 win in the Copa America quarter-finals.

Overall, Colombia have 27 wins, Peru 19 triumphs and there have been a further 22 draws.

Betting Tip

	Colombia vs Peru	Half Time Full Time Home-Home @ 2.27
	January 29, 05:00 (GMT+8)

Colombia start as clear favourites with the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds backing them First Half 1X2 @ 2.48, 1X2 @ 1.71, First Half Asian Handicap – 0.25 @ 1.96 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.97.

Given the attractive odds, optimistic Peruvians may well fancy putting a wager on their team which include First Half 1X2 @ 4.70, 1X2 @ 5.00, First Half Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.94 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.25.

A repeat of that most recent meeting – Correct Score 3-2 – is on offer at a staggering @ 42.00, while a re-run of their last meeting in Colombia, Correct Score 2-0, is available @ 6.60.

Goals are anticipated judging by over 2.25 goals @ 2.13 but total goal 0-1 @ 2.37 is also appealing for a pay day, as is the 1X2 Draw @ 3.35 and Double Chance Peru or Draw @ 2.02.

I am going to go for a Colombia victory, despite the resurgence of Peru.