Carrillo wonder strike fires Peru to victory
MOSCOW: A stunning Andre Carrillo volley gave Peru their first World Cup goal in 36 years before captain Paolo Guerrero grabbed a second as the Andean nation condemned Australia to a 2-0 defeat in Sochi yesterday and an early exit from Russia.
Guerrero set up Carrillo’s 18thminute wonder goal from the edge of the box with a delightful cross, then scored from a deflection five minutes after the interval to send Peru’s red-and-white army of fans into ecstasy at the Fisht Stadium.
Although already eliminated, Peru head home on a high note, having grabbed their first World Cup win since their 4-1 defeat of Iran at the 1978 finals in Argentina.
Denied a place at the global showpiece for 36 years, the result left Peru third in Group C with three points, while the Socceroos head home with just one, but more than a few regrets.
France topped the group with seven points, with Denmark runners-up on five after the teams played out a 0-0 draw.
Australia had needed to beat Peru and for France to defeat Denmark so the result was largely academic for the Socceroos.
But Bert van Marwijk’s side would have felt it was deja vu, as they surged forward in numbers but lacked the polish to conjure a score.
Captain Mile Jedinak blazed over the bar in the fifth minute while winger Mathew Leckie was denied in the goalmouth by a scrambling defence in the 36th.
Not even an early second half injection of talisman Tim Cahill could spark the Socceroos, their 38-year-old striker denied a goal in his World Cup swansong when he fired a volley straight into a Peru defender.