Posted by In their first World Cup match in 36 years, Peru were defeated 1-0 by Denmark on a Yussuf Poulsen strike in the second half. Here are my three takeaways from the game, held at Mordovia Arena in Saransk:
1) Profligate Peru Pays a Steep Price
The Peruvians came into this match on a 15-match unbeaten streak, with their last loss coming against Brazil in November of 2016. Peru knew that a victory against the Danes would give them a great chance of making it out of a group that France is expected to win. Right from the first whistle, the Incas looked to seize the attacking initiative, with right-winger Andre Carillo looking the most likely to break the deadlock. When they couldn’t find joy down the wings, the South Americans were happy to shoot from outside the box, with Miguel Trauco, Edison Flores and Renato Tapia all trying their luck within the first 15 minutes.
Nevertheless, Denmark began to gain a foothold in the game as the half progressed, and it seemed like halftime would arrive without a goal for either team. However, when Christian Cueva went down in the box following a clumsy challenge by Danish forward Yussuf Poulsen, referee Bakary Gassama awarded a penalty after a VAR review. Cueva stepped up to take it, and, after a stutter step sent keeper Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way, skied his kick over the crossbar, wasting a golden chance to put his team ahead.
The wastefulness exhibited by Cueva began to become a trend among the Peruvians, as various players took turns missing great chances to score. First, Carillo stumbled after Cueva had found him open in the box with a square pass, and was unable to get a shot off. Then it was the turn of winger Edison Flores, who shot straight at Schmeichel on his favored left foot from the left side of the box. Paulo Guerrero, who was brought on for Flores mid-way through the second half, sent a header straight at Schmeichel, before shaving the post with an outrageous back-heel attempt. Finally, Jefferson Farfan could only find Schmeichel’s feet with a first-time effort from near the penalty spot after Carillo had cut the ball back for him.
Peru finished the game with 17 shots on goal. However, only six of these were on target. In contrast, although Denmark had seven fewer shots than the Peruvians, they scored with their first real chance of the game through Poulsen. Unfortunately for Peru, this loss leaves them in a very difficult position in Group C, as they now need a result against France to keep their hopes of qualifying for the second round alive. If the Peruvians cannot rediscover the ruthlessness in front of goal that deserted them here, their chances of picking up even a draw against the French are slim.
2) Eriksen’s Quality Tells
Coming off another strong season that saw him impress with Tottenham and score a hat-trick in Denmark’s decisive playoff second-leg against Ireland, Christian Eriksen was expected to be the main threat for the Danes here. Played at the tip of a midfield three, Eriksen struggled to influence proceedings in the first half. Peru was quick to pressure Denmark’s number 10 whenever he received the ball, which forced him to drift out to the right to pick up possession. Even Eriksen’s set-piece delivery, usually so impressive, was lacking for much of the match. Towards the end of the first half, he struck a free kick from just outside the box right into the Peruvian wall, while he hit a low cross straight to opposing center-back Alberto Rodriguez when presented with a promising position from the right early on in the second period.
Nevertheless, a player of Eriksen’s quality is always capable of breaking open a game, even when he appears to be struggling. Indeed, the first time Peru left Eriksen with the space to turn and run at their back-line he punished them. After receiving from Pione Sisto just inside the Peruvian half, Eriksen was allowed to turn into acres of space and conduct a three-on-three in transition. After taking a few touches, Eriksen, while almost falling down, slipped a delightful ball in between Christian Ramos and Rodriguez, putting Yussuf Poulsen clean through on the Peruvian goal. After taking a touch to steady himself, Poulsen finished calmly at the near post with his left foot, sending the Danish fans grouped at that end into delirium. In a tight match that saw Peru have the better of the chances, Eriksen’s individual quality ended up making the difference for his team. Had Peru been able to call on a player of such talent, the Incas may well have snatched at least a draw.
3) Peruvian Passion Adds to World Cup Spectacle
Saransk, with a population of 300,000, is Russia’s smallest host city at this World Cup. At least for one day, however, Saransk became a significantly bigger metropolis, as an estimated 35,000 Peruvians descended on the Mordovian capital, intent on witnessing up close their nation’s first World Cup match in 36 years. The Peruvian contingent in Saransk was nearly large enough to fill the 44,000 seat Mordovia Arena. This was apparent during the match, as Peruvian supporters represented a strong majority inside the stadium, making the Mordovia Arena seem like Peru’s national stadium in Lima.
Peru’s fans never ceased their fervent support of their side during the match, even after they had gone down 1-0. This unconditional support appeared to have an effect on the action on the field, particularly during the first half as the Danes struggled to adapt to the speed of the match during the first twenty minutes. Including sales for this match, 43,583 Peruvians have purchased tickets to watch their side at this World Cup. With thousands more in Russia supporting their side on the streets and fan zones, the jovial, noisy atmosphere seen in Saransk is likely to be repeated in Peru’s remaining matches in the tournament. Given the increasingly corporate, sterilized atmosphere at matches in recent World Cups, the fervent support that Peruvian fans are providing in Russia should be welcomed.
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