Chile Beats Peru to Qualify for the World Cup
Peru vs Chile: Relive the intense match through these top moments
Christian Cueva scored a magnificent goal to put Peru ahead
Yesterday, Chile celebrated a 2-0 victory over Peru in a crucial World Cup qualifying match, marking their return to the global tournament after eight years. The match, held in Santiago's Estadio Nacional, was a tense affair filled with dramatic moments.
Peru started the game brightly and took the lead in the 18th minute. Christian Cueva, the Peruvian captain, unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box that flew into the top corner. The goal sent shockwaves through the Chilean team and their fans, as Peru threatened to end their World Cup hopes.
However, Chile responded with determination and gradually took control of the game. They equalized in the 35th minute when Ben Brereton Diaz converted a penalty after a foul on Alexis Sanchez. The equalizer gave Chile a much-needed boost, and they continued to press forward in search of a winner.
The winning goal eventually came in the 65th minute. Sanchez, who had been a constant threat throughout the match, played a delightful ball into the path of Eduardo Vargas. Vargas made no mistake, firing the ball into the bottom corner to secure the victory for Chile.
The win means Chile have now qualified for the World Cup in Qatar, which will be held in November and December of 2022. Peru, meanwhile, will have to wait for another chance to reach the global showpiece.
The match in numbers
- Chile had 58% possession compared to Peru's 42%.
- Chile attempted 14 shots on goal, while Peru had 7.
- Chile completed 82% of their passes, while Peru completed 78%.
Key moments in the match
- 18th minute: Christian Cueva scores a stunning goal to put Peru ahead.
- 35th minute: Ben Brereton Diaz equalizes for Chile from the penalty spot.
- 65th minute: Eduardo Vargas scores the winning goal for Chile.
Quotes from the match
- "We are very happy to have won this match and qualified for the World Cup," said Chile coach Martin Lasarte. "We knew it would be a difficult game, but we never gave up."
- "We are disappointed to have lost," said Peru coach Ricardo Gareca. "But we will learn from this experience and come back stronger."
- "I am very proud of my team," said Peru captain Christian Cueva. "We fought hard, but it wasn't enough today."
Conclusion
Chile's victory over Peru was a hard-fought and well-deserved triumph. They showed great determination and resilience to come back from a goal down and secure their place in the World Cup. Peru, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have missed out on qualification, but they can be proud of their performance in a difficult match.
