2021 summary of the Peruvian national team: the rebirth of Ricardo Gareca’s team

The peruvian team started 2021 with only one point out of twelve possible in the Qualifying Qatar 2022. Due to COVID-19, the calendar had to vary and the first meeting of this year by Qualifying Qatar 2022 it was played in June. However, Ricardo Gareca’s team once again stumbled, being thrashed by Colombia at the National Stadium. When pessimism took hold of the country, the ‘Blanquirroja’ showed that it is up to the challenge: it ended 2021 in fifth place with great chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

The Peruvian team was beaten 3-0 by Colombia in June of this year. With that result, those led by Ricardo Gareca added four defeats in their first five games. However, despite the pessimism of some sector of the country, the ‘Blanquirroja’ won in Ecuador and regained some hope in the face of the hectic end of the year.

In September, Peru gave up two points in their draw with Uruguay at the National Stadium. A few days later, with a solitary goal from Christian Cueva, the ‘Blanquirroja’ beat Venezuela at home. The Peruvians closed this triple date with a defeat against Brazil as a visitor.

October was not what everyone expected. Although they managed to defeat Chile 2-0 in Lima, they later had two defeats against Bolivia in La Paz and Argentina in Buenos Aires. However, the results of the other teams indicated that if Peru won the duels of the November double date, they could get into the fight.

And so it happened: those led by Gareca beat Bolivia 3-0 at will at the National Stadium in Lima and then defeated Venezuela 2-1 as visitors, placing in fifth place in the standings with 17 points, only behind Colombia on goal difference.

The mission of the Peruvian team for 2022 will be to maintain or improve its position in the standings. Those led by Ricardo Gareca will have to face Colombia in Barranquilla on January 28, Ecuador in Lima on February 1, Uruguay in Montevideo on March 24 and Paraguay in Lima on March 29.