The embrace of the soul to return to a World Cup qualification zone | CHRONICLE

We were already forgetting what it was like to be happy in a Playoff. Four years later, things are finally the same again. Christian Cueva not only gave us joy back, but also made us regain our memory. We had already seen that embrace of the soul with Ricardo Gareca before. Those wonderful days of 2017 winked at us in this 2-1 win over Venezuela in Caracas. We close 2021 in the repechage zone. Again we smile looking at a South American leaderboard. Again we enjoy the times before a World Cup.

As in the Qualifiers for Russia 2018, once again we live in extreme situations at the Caracas Olympic Stadium. The heart was asking for a truce because it had no rest until the last second of additional time. The Peruvian team needed this breaking point, as was the triumph in Quito in 2017. To get into the hot zone of qualification, as four years ago, it was unavoidable to add two victories. And it was suffered, shouted and celebrated. It was not easy for Peru. It never was.

Ricardo Gareca, aware of his urgencies, sent a team to the field that worked the game as if it were at home. In front, the ‘vinotinto’ painting also advanced its lines quite a bit. With friction and wear, what was looming was an open game. The heat map in both areas was always active.

Three scorers, three

To get to Russia 2018, Gareca found a trilogy of the goal with Edison Flores, Paolo Guerrero and Christian Cueva. The good news for the ‘Tigre’ is that four years later now there are Gianluca Lapadula, André Carrillo and Christian Cueva. Between the three of them, they have scored ten of the fifteen goals for Peru in these Qualifiers. Between the three of them they paved the way for what could be the most important victory in these Qualifiers: Lapadula, almost slipping, set up a wall with Cueva, who decided to pass the ball to Carrillo. The end of Al Hilal, with mischief and subtlety, served ‘Lapagol’ with admirable precision. Six points out of six were beginning to loom as a beautiful possibility.

Peru will always have a hard time. That is how it was four years ago and that is how it will have to be now. Venezuela, exhibiting a remarkable self-esteem, offered a fight especially in the first ten minutes of the complement. Thus came the equality of Machís. A tremendous blow, which the bicolor assimilated quickly. And Gareca too.

The entry of Christofer Gonzales was decisive. ‘Canchita’ understood that, to avoid the ‘vinotinto’ barrage, it was key that he join as an attacker in several plays. In this way, he won a free kick. In this way, all the reflectors were turned on to see the best act of this function. Christian Cueva once again took all the awards as a leading actor. His free kick wasn’t just the 2-1 we needed so badly. It will also be the historical image that will be repeated millions of times: today, tomorrow and forever.

Hold me tighter

This date 14 will be remembered as the most opportune for Peruvian plans. The white-red won on the visit and the direct rivals stumbled (even some from locals). We closed the year in fifth place in the standings, a playoff position like four years ago. Four games to go, two at home (Ecuador and Paraguay) and two away (Colombia and Uruguay).

The red-white depends on herself to repeat the World Cup qualification. It is the best moment of Ricardo Gareca’s second stage with Peru. There are reasons to look with enthusiasm at what is coming: Renato Tapia continues to grow and in Caracas it was the sovereign all-field player who ordered the house. Pedro Gallese certified his appointment as one of the 20 best goalkeepers in the world with the penalty saved to Machís. Carrillo does not lose the essence of his speed and mischief; Lapadula is getting used to scoring. And Cave is still Cave. We daydream about a World Cup again. For more than two months, we can paste the leaderboard as a poster at home. Like four years ago: there is no fifth bad.