The Peruvian team was surpassed at the highest level, losing 4-1 to Japan in the second FIFA test match before qualifying for the 2026 World Cup began. One of the starters was the Alianza Lima footballer Christian Cueva. For this game, Juan Reynoso chose to start “Aladino” in contrast to the previous game against South Korea where he started in the second half. The national strategist used “Aladino” as a winger and produced a discreet performance in the first half he played.
After the win, one of those who harshly criticized Cueva’s level was the sports commentator Pedro García. The Communicator He pointed out that the Alianza Lima player couldn’t be in the starting XI due to his football talent.
“This is not the cueva that gives things to the national team. It doesn’t matter if he plays open on one side, if he plays in the middle or where he plays. At this level he doesn’t have the ability to start. He has all the good things he has. As a talent at that level, it’s no use to Peru,” García said in Movistar Deportes.
YOU CAN SEE: Guerrero and his resounding analysis of the game with Lapadula: “The times he went down, he wasn’t comfortable.”
The ‘Al Ángulo’ panelist felt that despite the charisma he showed with Lapadula, Cueva should be the starter because of his good performance and the team’s contribution.
“Where should he appear? He can’t perform at that level (…) No matter how many kisses there are with Gianluca Lapadula, no matter how much love there is, and I say it in a good way, it does.” “It doesn’t make you a starter . It makes your good performance headlines by keeping a level and making a little sacrifice,” he added.
Relive the match between Peru and Japan in an international friendly match
The teams led by Juan Reynoso were beaten 4-1 in Osaka with goals from Hiroki, Kaoru Mitoma, Junya Ito and Daizen Maeda. The red-white discount came from Christofer Gonzáles.