Australia eliminated, Peru leave World Cup on high note
SOCHI : Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1982, Peru aren’t leaving Russia empty handed.
The Peruvians failed to score a goal i n their opening two matches, but the team finally gave its fans a reason to celebrate when it ended Australia’s hopes of advancing to the knockout round with a 2-0 victory on Tuesday.
The Australians had to beat Peru and hope Denmark lost to France in the other Group C match, but neither result occurred. France and Denmark drew 0-0 in Moscow.
Andre Carrillo’s 18th-minute goal, a half-volley from inside the area, was Peru’s first in a World Cup since its last appearance 36 years ago. Peru hadn’t won a World Cup match since defeating Iran in 1978.
P2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
L0 0 2 2 6 6 -4 -8
Peru captain Paolo Guerrero, who almost missed out because of a doping suspension, scored the other goal in the 50th with a leftfooted strike after getting to a loose ball inside the area.
“This triumph is for our people and for Jefferson (Farfan),” Guerrero said of his teammate who missed the match after being admitted to hospital with a head injury sustained in practice last weekend. “We showed that Peru can play as equal to anyone.”
Australia striker Tim Cahill, a 38-year-old veteran who entered the match in the 53rd minute, had a chance to become only the fifth player to score in four World Cups, joining Pele, Uwe Seeler, Miroslav Klose and Cristiano Ronaldo. But he had few chances.
#Table updated till France-denmark & Australia-peru match; * denotes qualified for round of 16
P2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0
L0 0 1 2 1 1 2 -4