SAN FRANCISCO, November 18, (THEWILL) – VfB Stuttgart left-winger Nicolas Gonzalez continued his rapid rise and Lautaro Martinez was on target as Argentina maintained their unbeaten start to CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over Peru.
The hosts started on the front foot at the Estadio Nacional de Lima. Christian Cueva’s appeals for a penalty inside the ninth minute were waived away by the referee. A pitch-side review adjudged Argentina goalkeeper Franco Armani not to have made the accused contact.
Although Peru’s goalie Pedro Gallese was not the busiest, he did have to collect the ball from his net after Gonzalez capped a fine team goal in the 17th minute. Giovani Lo Celso created space with some sublime movement down the right before laying off a pass with the outside of his boot for the Stuttgart man to finish powerfully across Gallese.
It was almost double when the Barcelona forward Lionel Messi played a through-ball for Nicolas Tagliafico. But, a last-ditch block denied the Ajax left-back in the 24th minute.
Argentina got their second goal four minutes later. Martinez sprang the offside trap, took on Leandro Paredes’ pass down the middle and rounded off Gallese in a swift attacking move that was a beauty in execution.
Though Peru ended the half strongly, they did not have anything to show for it. Their rising momentum carried into the second half as they struggled to get on the scoresheet.
Substitute Lucas Ocampos very nearly scored with his first touch at about the hour-mark but for Gallese’s reflexes. Messi’s exquisite pass almost released Martinez but Gallese was there again to snuff out the danger.
Messi himself made every effort to get on the scoresheet. He even had penalty appeals waived away and his goal-bound effort late in the second period was deflected for a corner. Even substitute Angel Di Maria’s goal effort was thwarted by Gallese, who kept the result respectable.
This was Argentina’s first victory away to Peru since September 2004, having drawn three times previously. With the result, Argentina remain second and two points behind CONMEBOL leaders Brazil through four Matchdays.
Argentina will be back in action in March next year, the South American powerhouse facing rivals Uruguay and Brazil, while Peru will take on Bolivia and Venezuela.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
