On March 20, 2025, the Peruvian national football team achieved a significant victory over Bolivia, defeating them 3-1 in the thirteenth round of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers at the Estadio Nacional in Lima. This crucial win allowed Peru to abandon the last place in the standings, offering a fresh surge of hope in their quest for a World Cup berth.
The match kicked off with palpable tension as both teams sought a much-needed win. Peru came out strong, led by the veteran Paolo Guerrero, who has been a mainstay in their attack. The breakthrough came at the 37-minute mark when Andy Polo tapped in a right-footed shot from close range after a well-executed team effort involving Guerrero and André Carrillo. The Peruvian crowd erupted as Polo opened the scoring, setting the tone for an aggressive, assertive performance.
Just before halftime, veteran Paolo Guerrero doubled the lead in the 45th minute. After receiving a pinpoint pass from Polo, Guerrero turned sharply in the penalty area, executing a left-footed shot that slipped between the legs of Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra. Guerrero's experience shone through, giving Peru a comfortable 2-0 lead going into the break.
As the second half began, Bolivia showed signs of recovery, pressing forward in search of a goal. Their efforts were rewarded in the 57th minute when referee Yael Falcón awarded a penalty for a handball by Peruvian defender Luis Abram. Miguel Terceros, only 20 years old but a notable force, stepped up to take the penalty, skillfully converting it and narrowing the margin to 2-1.
Following the penalty, Bolivia gained momentum and began pushing for an equalizer. However, Peru's defense, marshaled by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, remained resolute. In a tactical shift, Peru's coach, Óscar Ibáñez, made key substitutions to stabilize their play and protect the lead.
In the 82nd minute, the match was put beyond doubt when Edison Flores, who had come on as a substitute, scored Peru's third goal. Taking advantage of a defensive error from Bolivia, Flores capitalized with a left-footed shot that sealed the win and confirmed Peru's resurgence in the qualifiers.
After the match, coach Óscar Ibáñez expressed satisfaction over the performance, stating, "The objective is to take it one game at a time. This match was important given the circumstances. We see that Peru is still in the race." His comments reflected an understanding of the pressures that come with qualifying for such a prestigious tournament.
On the other side, Bolivia's coach, Óscar Villegas, acknowledged his team's struggles during the match. He remarked, "The final result is not what we came looking for. We feel we tried to be the protagonists, playing forward. We have made some specific errors." Bolivian captain Luis Haquín emphasized their mathematical possibility to qualify, saying, "The reality is that we have the chance to go to the World Cup. We must focus on the next match against Uruguay and ensure we respect our home ground."
With this victory, Peru has now climbed to ninth place in the standings with 10 points from 13 matches. Bolivia, despite the loss, remains in seventh place with 13 points. As the qualifiers continue, Peru will face Venezuela in their next outing on March 25, 2025, while Bolivia will host Uruguay in a crucial encounter.
This match not only marked a pivotal moment in the standings but also underscored the fierce competitiveness of the South American qualifiers, where every point is vital in the race for World Cup qualification.
