Conmebol Zone 2026 World Cup Qualification: Peru's Failure To Win First Victory

JAKARTA - Peru host Venezuela on the sixth matchday of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Zone Conmebol at the Lima National Stadium, Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

Before the match, Peru floated its ambition to get the first three points in qualifying. Moreover, they compete in front of the public themselves, this target certainly has a big chance to be realized.

This motivation then made La Bicolor, Peru's nickname, appear immediately pressing from the start. Opportunities were created in the sixth minute through Alexander Callens' header, but still wide on the right side of Venezuela's goal.

Three minutes later, Peru spread a serious threat and almost resulted in a goal. Gianluca Lapadula's breakthrough bait fell on Yoshimar Yotun's feet.

Yotun managed to leave Venezuelan defender before dealing one-on-one with goalkeeper Rafael Romo. Unfortunately, Yotun failed to trick the goalkeeper, whose flick could still be blocked and only ended in a corner.

Yotun then paid for his mistake in the 17th minute. Peru's repeated attacks finally paid off.

Starting from a cross from Joao Grimaldo's stomach, Yotun's hard header was immediately met. Goalkeeper Rafael Romo, who was already dead, moved just to give up his goal net shaking.

Winning 1-0 made Peru closer to realizing their target of achieving their first win in qualifying. However, Peru's goal brought Venezuela to respond quickly.

They immediately took over possession and built an attack to equalize. Their first chance was born in the 25th minute. However, the chaos in front of the Peru goal could not be maximized by Solomon Rondon.

Seeing Venezuela's increasingly threatening action, Peru did not remain silent. The counter-attack became their weapon to push the visitors back.

In fact, one of La Bicolor's counter-attacks almost resulted in a second goal. Grimaldo, who managed to get past Wilker Angel, fired home from close range in the 36th minute. However, the goalkeeper managed to block it.

After that, the two teams took turns pressing, but no goals were scored until halftime.

In the second half, Venezuela actually appeared trending. Darwin Machis' acceleration from the left side of the Peru defense in the 54th minute led to cut-back bait.

Jefferson Savarino managed to cheat the ball into Peru's goal mouth and turn the score into a 1-1 draw.

Not wanting to be dashed, Peru came out attacking again for three points. One chance was born through Lapadula's long-range kick in the 64th minute.

He saw Venezuela's goalkeeper was far from the goal. Lapadula's shot was actually right on target, but Rafael Romo was still able to catch the lob and block it.

In the 15 minutes before dispersal, Peru, which was under a lot of pressure. Venezuela was recorded twice as having a golden opportunity.

First, Junior Moreno's action fired from outside the penalty box which goalkeeper Pedro Gallese could still push over.

Second, the chaos in front of the Peru goal failed to be maximized by Andre Carrillo as a goal.

The 1-1 score lasted until the match was over. With this result, Peru failed to achieve the hope of a first qualifying victory.

They are still stuck at the bottom of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Conmebol Zone with two points from the results of two draws and four defeats.