In a thrilling match held on March 20, 2025, Peru defeated Bolivia with a score of 3-1 at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, igniting hope in their quest for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
The victory saw Peru climb from the bottom of the South American qualifying table, as they now sit in ninth place with 10 points, driven by goals from Andy Polo, Paolo Guerrero, and Edison Flores. Peru's interim coach, Óscar Ibáñez, celebrated a successful debut, marking a significant turnaround for the team.
Andy Polo opened the scoring for Peru at the 37th minute with a stunning shot that found the lower left corner of the net, leaving Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra with no chance. This goal marked Polo's first in the ongoing qualifiers, launching an energetic celebration in the stadium.
Just before halftime, the legendary Paolo Guerrero, at the remarkable age of 41 years and 78 days, doubled Peru's lead. Guerrero's goal not only exemplified his priceless experience but also etched his name in the record books as the oldest player to score in South American World Cup qualifiers.
The second half saw Bolivia attempt to tighten their game, resulting in a spirited comeback attempt when Miguel Terceros converted a penalty at the 58th minute after a handball by Luis Abram. Terceros' goal provided a glimmer of hope for the visiting side, ranging from strong attacks to make in-roads into Peru's defense.
Despite these efforts, it was Edison Flores who sealed the win for Peru, scoring in the 82nd minute as he capitalized on a counterattack, striking the ball decisively after a rebound following a save by Viscarra.
With this result, Bolivia remains in seventh place with 13 points, still in contention for a playoff spot but struggling to maintain momentum as they face mounting pressure from teams below them, including Venezuela.
The next matches will see Peru visiting Venezuela on March 25, while Bolivia will host Uruguay the same day. Both games are crucial as every point counts as the teams move forward in the road to the World Cup.
This revitalizing win for Peru comes after a streak of underwhelming performances, and fans hope that this newfound chemistry and resilience will carry them through the remainder of the qualifiers.
In summary, Peru's comprehensive win over Bolivia not only lifted them off the bottom of the table but also reignited their hopes for the coveted World Cup spot. The rebuilding effort under Ibáñez seems promising, and fans are excited to see where this journey leads.
