Peru enjoy warm-up win against Scotland
sao paulo — Two South American sides warmed up for next month’s World Cup in Russia with easy wins on Tuesday as Argentina hammered Haiti 4-0 in Buenos Aires and Peru overcame Scotland 2-0 in Lima.
Peru out-thought, outplayed and out-muscled an understrength Scotland, who rarely threatened at the Estadio Nacional in a rematch of a famous 1978 World Cup encounter between the sides that the South Americans won 3-1.
Christian Cueva put Peru 1-0 ahead after 36 minutes from the penalty spot before Jefferson Farfan took advantage of slack defending just seconds after the break to complete the scoring.
The victory was Peru’s third in a row against European opposition following friendly wins over Croatia and Iceland, and fills them with optimism as they head to their first World Cup since 1982.
“Peru is ready to face any team in the world,” Peru coach Ricardo Gareca told reporters. “This team is prepared to resolve problems that come our way.”
Peru are now unbeaten in 13 games but have been drawn in one of the most difficult pools in Russia, alongside France, Denmark and Australia in Group C.
In another game in Panama City, the hosts prepared for their first ever World Cup with a 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland.
Panama, who are in Group G with England, Belgium and Tunisia, have one final friendly against Norway in Oslo scheduled for next week.
Argentina play Israel before heading to Russia and Peru face fellow finalists Sweden in Gothenburg. —