Andina

Peru soccer team arrive home after World Cup participation

00:04 | Lima, Jun. 29.

Peru's national soccer team arrived in Lima on Thursday night following their participation in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

The charter plane carrying the Inca athletes landed at Jorge Chavez International Airport after 9:00 PM (local time).

Andre Carrillo, Raul Ruidiaz, Aldo Corzo, and Anderson Santamaria did not join their fellow team members, as they had traveled to other cities in North America and Europe.

Amid cheers and applause, Peruvian players were welcomed by a large number of fans, who gathered at the airport to thank them for the efforts undertaken at the World Cup tournament despite an early elimination.

The national squad lost their first two matches against Denmark (0-1) and France (0-1), thus becoming the fourth team to depart from this mega event.

Nevertheless, they managed to claim three points by defeating Australian counterparts (2-0) in the last Group C game. This clash marked Peru's first victory in a World Cup after 40 years.

In this sense, Andre Carrillo made history by scoring the Incas' first goal at such event since their previous participation in Spain 1982.

Thus, the Watford F.C. player was named Budweiser Man of the Match versus Australia.


Yet Paolo Guerrero remains the squad's all-time top scorer having made a total of 35 goals wearing the red-white jersey.


Peru's playing style and fan base were praised by several media outlets, as well as celebrities such as Russell Crowe and Antonio Banderas.

It must be noted Peruvian Soccer Federation (FPF) authorities' first task will be to convince Ricardo Gareca to remain as the team coach thru the entire 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar process. 

As is known, the strategist guided the red-white squad to a long-awaited World Cup qualification after 36 years

Figures back his campaign: 21 wins, 12 ties, and 13 losses.


(END) JAA/MVB

Published: 6/29/2018