The Peruvian team They added another defeat in these qualifying rounds, missing a great opportunity to achieve a historic result against one of the most discreet Chilean teams in recent years. The national team lost 2-0 in one of the most disappointing games in our recent history, with the result consistent with the performance of the Blanquirroja, who lacked a game plan when in possession and showed a certain fear of time in their attack.
YOU CAN SEE: The Peruvian team lost 2-0 to Chile in Santiago for the 2026 qualification
A first time to forget
If you had thought that, with Paraguay, which Blanquirroja had left more doubts than certainties, the first half in Santiago confirmed that this team is still not getting along, despite the distinctive style of its coach. It was the 15th minute of the game when the first and only shot of our compatriots was recorded: Luis Advíncula He made his classic hook inside and shot with his left foot, but the ball ended up going over the goal defended by Brayan Cortés.
From then on it was all Chile’s, even if the Peruvian starting XI considered a double attack on the wings with Corzo and Advíncula on the right and Trauco with Polo on the left so as not to be left unprotected. However, Ben Brereton received the opponent’s attack freely on the left side and in the end created more than one dangerous chance. Erick Pulgar even managed to find space on the sides to throw crosses into the center of the national area, which also shook the goal defended by Pedro Gallese, who was once again the star.
Chile confirms its paternity against Peru in qualifying. Photo: EFE
The Zambrano-Abram duo also raised doubts as every ball that was in the final third of the Peruvian field could not be cleared. For this reason, Alexis Sánchez, Matías Catalán and Diego Valdés were able to create chances that fortunately did not end in a goal. Another player who performed poorly was Miguel Trauco at left-back. The footballer, playing in the MLS, was never able to connect with his team’s midfielder and, on the contrary, missed up to two passes that gave clear chances to the players led by Eduardo Berizzo.
In attack the story was no different. The ownership of Andy Polo The changed profile was not confirmed by the Universitario player himself, which was not clear in the first half. “Canchita” Gonzáles was once again the player who did not connect in attack and did not lend a hand to the midfielders in the front line. Yotun He was given few opportunities to pass, and only Pedro Aquino achieved a passing grade despite a worrying insignificance. The isolated Paolo Guerrero had no contact with the ball and confirmed in the first 45 minutes that he had no intention of aiming for the opponent’s goal.
Chile and Peru starred in a new version of the Pacific classic. Photo: EFE
A second half that confirmed the disappointment
The start of the second half required changes in attack to change the course of the game, which so far has had little promise. However, Juan Reynoso remained steadfast in his starting XI and faced the start of the second half with the same elements. And as expected, the panorama remained the same, although the national team moved a few meters forward on the field.
However, as the Peruvian system of play was designed to defend, Alexis Sánchez was able to outwit every player in front of him and prove to be a key figure in the Mapocho team in front of the goal defended by Pedro Gallese. With the ball, the reality was even worse: the Peruvian players didn’t risk a single pass and the ball was distributed between the central midfielders and the defenders on the last line.
La Blanquirroja fell further and further behind until the seemingly inevitable came: the first Chilean goal from a corner that reminded us of the painful goal that saw them lose to Brazil. The Chileans quickly took the corner and Diego Valdés took advantage of the distractions of the entire Peruvian defensive block to blow up the Colo Colo Monumental Stadium.
Conceded goal and lukewarm reaction from Juan Reynoso
Juan Reynoso wanted to break out of his tentative script and sent André Carrillo onto the field. The Arab football attacker caused some danger, but he only had Paolo Guerrero in front of the ball line; Because of this, his actions did not end in the best possible way. With the team playing forward and the use of Anderson Santamaría and Wilder Cartagena, Marcos López completed the defeat and made the final score 2-0.
Now everything is looking up, just a few days before the most dangerous rival of these qualifying rounds takes part: Argentina. With just one point in the table, the Peruvian team is only in ninth place ahead of Bolivia and the 2026 World Cup is moving further and further away despite the odds of one and a half more.