How Peru shocked the world reaching the 2019 Copa America Final

Jefferson Farfan of Peru heads the ball with teammate Paolo Guerrero and Carlos Zambrano during the Copa America Brazil 2019 group A match between Bolivia and Peru at Maracana Stadium on June 18, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(June 17, 2019 - Source: Getty Images South America)

A miracle deferred

Well, this summer was quite fun. The 2019/20 European football season is almost here, but it’s almost like it never left. With Megan Rapinoe and the USWNT’s second successive women’s world cup title topping the pile, Algeria’s assumption of the title of African champions closely followed; especially after entering the tournament as underdogs and tactically dominating it. What about the celebrations that followed in the North African country, France and the rest of the world? That is something worth of a watch or a second one if you had already done so. All of Spain’s U-21 UEFA European Championship triumph, Ukraine’s U-20 FIFA World Cup win in Poland or Mexico’s record extending CONCACAF gold cup success over the United States Men’s National Team, kept us at the edge of our seats and gave us something to cherish, make memes, cry or throw banter about. There is actually another one.

No, it’s not Brazil ending their 12-year drought to win the Copa America in front of the ever so infectious and demanding Maracana fans, though that was also pretty cool, or the continuation of Messi and Argentina’s woes on the big stage. It is Peru. The “little” Peru. In the midst of the globally acclaimed South American football giants of Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia; it was Peru who earned the right to face Brazil in the 2019 final. It was obviously not a fairy-tale ending for the La Blanquirroja as the hosts stepped up to grab a deserved 3-1 victory and declared winners of the 46th edition of the tournament. The Peruvians were on the verge of achieving something close to Leicester’s 2015/16 Premier League title win or Zambia’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations miracle, and we were all going to be witnesses.

This therefore calls for the need to reflect and learn how they made it.

“When you thought it would have gotten better, it got worse. Brazil put mud in their pudding. The record world cup winners did what they like doing and what’s demanded of them by their fans, with Firmino and Willian turning on the style to humiliate the Peruvians by 5 clear goals to nothing.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Peru player Paolo Guerrero (r) celebrates his goal with Christian Cueva during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Australia and Peru at Fisht Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Sochi, Russia.

(June 25, 2018 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

The real beginning

It didn’t start with the Copa America 2019. Time and time again, whenever we see champions on the podium, more often than not, we are reminded of the indispensable success ingredients of character shaped through experience, desire and discipline to see it through. Such a big spotlight moment had actually been always coming for the Peruvians who made the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia, effectively ending a 30-year drought. Even better were their performances in the tournament, winning the praise of many neutrals who felt they weren’t at all boring to watch. Despite not reaching the knock-out stages in Russia, La Blanquirroja were by far the dominant side in their 1-0 opening loss to Denmark and tough opponents for eventual champions, France who managed only a narrow 1-0 victory over them. They got their dues in the final group stage match, where they put on the costumes and made a show of their 2-0 victory over the Australians, finishing on a high and returning home to a hero’s welcome in Lima. Their biggest win was the experience gained at the biggest stage and the lessons learnt which substantively make up the bulk of the reasons why they reached Maracana final 2019.

Road to the final

It wasn’t at all the best of starts by Peru in the 2019 Copa America tournament. A 3-0 friendly loss to Colombia just six days before the commencement of the tournament surely put them in the category of those not to expect much from. However, a 0-0 draw against Venezuela on opening day, followed by an expected 3-1 win over Bolivia gave them a lift but didn’t exactly raise eyebrows seeing that they were matches which they were expected to win or at least be comfortable in.

When you thought it would have gotten better, it got worse. Brazil put mud in their pudding. The record world cup winners did what they like doing and what’s demanded of them by their fans, with Firmino and Willian turning on the style to humiliate the Peruvians by 5 clear goals to nothing. It was only through the blessing of the calculator that La Blanquirroja qualified as one of the two best 3rd placed team from their group ahead of Japan. That second chance was really a blessing in disguise to Gareca’s men who started defying odds in the knockout stages.

A robust and disciplined tactical performance against the most successful team in the Copa America history, 15 time champions Uruguay in the quarter-final was enough to hold the 2018 world cup quarter-finalists to a 0-0 draw, eventually beating them on penalty shootouts. “Just a lucky park the bus performance” could have been the reaction of many onlookers. It became official that they actually mean business when they put three past the holders, Chile, who were on the hunt for a third consecutive title. They saw less of the ball but put all their chances to great use with Flores opening the scoring in the 21st minute, Yotun doubling the lead in the 38th minute before veteran Paolo Guerrero declared it a no contest in the 91st minute.

That is how they got us and everyone talking about them. Quite extraordinary for a nation who last appeared in the Copa America final back in 1975. Indeed, the current Peruvian national football team is what we could call a golden generation. But who’s behind all their exploits.

Head Coach Ricardo Gareca of Peru reacting prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between the New Zealand All Whites and Peru at Westpac Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand.

(Nov. 10, 2017 - Source: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Gareca, el Tigre

One man, Ricardo Gareca. The 61-year-old has moved mountains during his four years in charge of the Peruvian national team and that has not really been a major surprise. The Argentine had a relatively successful football career as a player appearing for the likes of River Plate and Boca Juniors, which actually pales in comparison to his managerial one. Nicknamed el Tigre (the tiger) or el Flaco (the thin one) during his playing days, Gareca has indeed become a real tiger when it comes to tactics and ruthlessness.  Before Peru, he had won numerous club titles that include the domestic league title in Peru and three championships in a four-year spell with Argentine club, Velez Sarsfield. He could have joined the elite company of Marcos Calderon and Jack Greenwell, the only two people to have led Peru to a Copa America title but the 3-1 loss to Brazil in the final stood in the way of that. His signature, committed; defensively meticulous; intelligent and ruthless approach of setting up teams has always given his sides chances against any opponent even though they are usually second-best in retaining possession. Such is how he has set-up Peru coupled with quick and smart-interplay which ensures they can hurt opponents at any of the few occasions they get the ball. During el Tigre’s time, Peru reached the Copa America semi-finals in 2015, eliminated Brazil in 2016 and also secured a 2018 FIFA World Cup finals spot after three decades. They are really on the up and there’s no telling how far they can still go provided the Argentine stays at the helm of their affairs.

The future

Apart from captain and veteran striker, Paolo Guerrero who’s now 35-years of age, most of Peru’s headlining stars are in their mid to late twenties. This means that they have at least another four years to run and exhaust the experience they have gotten in this highly successful spell. Even better, the heights they have reached have definitely set a precedent of what’s achievable and generations which follow will be less afraid to dream big. Rest assured, this is the last we won’t hear of or be talking about the “little” Peru.

FT Top 10 World Cup Snub: Honorary Mention - Leroy Sane

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Leroy Sane - Germany

Most arguably the biggest omission of them all. Leroy Sane, one of the best players in Manchester City’s title-winning squad, has been left out of the German team to compete at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. No one could have predicted that he would not make it having scored 14 goals and contributing 17 assists in the most competitive league in the world, the English Premier League. He also won PFA Young Player of the Year. Surely, Joachim Low has made a big decision that could backfire against him. He prefers Brandt and Draxler who have a combined 16 goals and 9 assists in the 2017/18 season. Clearly, these two are not on the 22-year old’s level which leaves us wondering. Why is it that he has been dropped out of that German squad? We need answers!

FT Top 10 World Cup Snub: #2 - Alexander Lacazette

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Alexander Lacazette - France

Alexander Lacazette has reasons to be extremely disappointed as he will not be flying to Russia with the French National Team to play in the World Cup this summer. After making a triumphant return with Arsenal following a mid-season knee injury, his goals helped guide Arsenal to the UEFA Europa League Final. French manager, Didier Deschamps, pointed to Lacazette perhaps not impressing him over the last two years as opposed to his recent form. During the last international friendlies, Lacazette and Anthony Martial were both decisive players and Lacazette scored against Germany. Nevertheless, a massive snub indeed, and some of the French media have focused on the fact that Deschamps has chosen more versatile attackers that are capable of playing in multiple positions and tactically assuming multiple roles. Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe, and Antoine Griezmann are most likely the starting attacking players and with players like Nabil Fekir and Ousmane Dembele also in the 23-man group, France certainly may not regret Lacazette’s absence.

FT Top World Cup Snubs: #1 - Mauro Icardi

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Mauro Icardi - Argentina

Mauro Icardi has been exempted from the FIFA World Cup 2018 Squad for Argentina. Many analysts have come out to say that the Inter Milan striker is so unfortunate to be playing in the age of great attacking options for the country with players like Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala and Lionel Messi. Nonetheless, the player has done enough to deserve a place in the squad. The role of the striker is to score goals and Icardi has just done that for his club this season scoring 30 goals in 38 matches. This rate is better than Higuain and Dybala’s returns this season who played in the same competitions with the player but only managed 27 and 26 each respectively. There are not many players as gifted as the young 25-year old at finishing but Jorge Sampaoli could not trust that he would bring them success in the tournament which raises questions about how these decisions are made. The player evidently had a better season than many but is omitted from the squad which proves that he falling short because he represents a smaller club than his counterparts.

FT Top 10 World Cup Snubs: #3 - Mario Götze

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Mario Götze - Germany

This one is quite shocking. Who would have ever thought that Mario Götze of all people, would be left out by Joachim Low. The attacking midfielder won Germany the FIFA World Cup in 2014 by scoring the goal that made the difference against Argentina in the final. He controlled the cross from the left and finished past Romero on the 112th minute. This gutted Lionel Messi who went on to retire from the national team. The young German became a hero for his goal which gifted Germany with the World Cup and many assumed that he would be repaid by a place in the final squad. The player has not had a terrible season either having made 38 appearances across all competitions which yielded 3 goals and 6 assists. Surely, Goetze deserved more from his team but the coach thinks otherwise. At the end of the day, Low probably sees that the player delivered when asked to but is now surplus to requirements. Such is the life of a footballer. One moment you’re idolized and the next, you’re insignificant.

FT Top 10 World Cup Snubs: #4 - Renato Sanches

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Renato Sanches - Portugal

Young Portuguese prodigy, Renato Sanches had a breakout season in the 2015/16 season which earned him a place in the Portugal national team at the UEFA Euro 2016. Ronaldo’s team went on to win the tournament for the first time and the youngster was influential with his second half cameos. Since then, the young midfielder joined Bayern Munich, failed to compete for a starting spot before being shipped out on loan to Swansea this season. The player struggled to make the first team at Swansea who were relegated. He had so much promise which persuaded Bayern Munich into paying £27.5m for his services from Benfica but his trajectory is gradually declining. He will not be a part of the Portugal team that will compete at the FIFA World Cup Russia and he has no one to blame. 20-years of age and is already regarded as an extravagant option. He would not have imagined this, not in a million years.

FT Top 10 World Cup Snubs: #5 - Shkodran Mustafi

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Shkodran Mustafi - Germany

Another World Cup winner, Shkodran Mustafi has been left out of the Germany squad to compete at this year’s tournament in Russia. The Arsenal defender has had a poor season this year which saw his club finish 6th in the English Premier League. Mustafi was culpable for a number of errors alongside his injury-prone partner, Laurent Koscielny and the pair summarize the defensive problems that the club has. Although Arsenal scored 74 goals, they also shipped in 51 which explains their position in Wenger’s final year in charge. Mustafi had been an international regular as he was also in defense when the country won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017. Many expected him to continue his fill-in role where he usually stands in at right-back, left-back or anywhere in defense. He had been getting away with murder by turning in better performances for his national side than at Arsenal and his luck has finally run out. Joachim Low chose to drop the out of form defender and chose Rudiger instead who has had a slightly better season. Mustafi will not play at this year’s tournament. Ask the Arsenal fans for more.

FT Top 10 World Cup Snubs: #6 - Javier Pastore

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Javier Pastore - Argentina

The creative midfielder has failed to make the provisional list of the Argentina national team. This comes as a shocker for the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder who has enjoyed an amazing season with his club after the recruitment of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Rubbing shoulders with great players is a dream for many footballers but Pastore’s numbers this season fail to reflect his contributions for PSG. He only managed 5 goals and 5 assists in all competitions which have led to his omission from the national team side. Pastore must be heartbroken to miss out on such a prestigious tournament that his national team came close to winning in 2014. That wraps up the list of the players that failed to make it because they were dropped but there are also big name players who have been ruled out because of injuries which include Dani Alves (Brazil), Chamberlain (England), Koscielny (France) among others.

FT Top 10 World Cup Snubs: #7 - Sandro Wagner

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Sandro Wagner - Germany

The self-proclaimed ‘best striker’ in Germany, Sandro Wagner has been left out of the World Cup squad by Joachim Low. The player joined Bayern Munich in the middle of the season from Hoffenheim where he had scored 4 goals already. Wagner has scored a total of 14 goals in all competitions and has assisted 4 goals which are not a bad return considering that he has been playing second fiddle to Robert Lewandowski. The player is an out-and-out striker which is a position that Germany has been lacking in talent in recent years. They resorted to Klose and Mario Gomez in recent years because of the lack of options. Now, in a new age of players like Timo Werner and Wagner, the Bayern Munich striker thought he had a chance to represent his nation at the World Cup. Instead, he has been left out which is not just disappointing but shocking as well.

FT Top 10 World Cup Snubs: #8 - Karim Benzema

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Karim Benzema - France

The Real Madrid striker has not featured for France since 2015. The player was involved in a scandal with teammate Valbuena which saw them both dismissed from the national team fold. Karim Benzema’s qualities are undeniable having been trusted to be Real Madrid’s first choice striker ever since Gonzalo Higuain left in 2013. He fell out of favor with the coach of the national team, Didier Deschamps who is refusing to bring back the player to the national side. The player had a below average season compared to his other outings in the Los Blancos colors but he still scored 10 goals and also helped his teammates to score on 11 occasions. Cristiano Ronaldo likes his strike partnership with Benzema, imagine how France would line-up with Mbappe, Benzema and Griezmann. Anyways, the squad is yet to be announced by Benzema is almost certain to not be included in the team. What a waste of talent by the French national team setup.

FT Top 10 World Cup Snubs: #9 - Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at the 10 players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Sweden

Yes. The Greatest of All Time, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been snubbed by his national team, Sweden at this year’s grandest tournament. The 36-year old recently joined LA Galaxy from Manchester United after having struggled to retain his form due to a knee injury which he picked up in 2017. The striker was received in Los Angeles with a bang after scoring a vicious rocket from more than 30 yards out on the volley. Such moments typify his career where he has scored some amazing goals not only for his clubs but also for his national team. The player has always been the face of the Swedish national team as long as we can remember but it has finally come to an end. Zlatan Ibrahimovic retired from the national team own his own last year when he was trying to focus on his fitness for Manchester United. He has since recovered and was contemplating on offering his services. He claimed, “It is up to me to decide whether I should play at the World Cup”. Well, I guess it was not all up to him as the Swedish manager, Lars Richt stated that, “Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in that case, for the same reason as with previous national team gatherings, not under consideration for the World Cup squad that national team coach Janne Andersson will announce on May 15.” It’s official, the player will not be playing at the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.

FT Top 10 World Cup Snubs: #10 - Jack Wilshire

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest individual sports tournament in the whole world. Russia successfully submitted a bid and are going to be hosting this year’s World Cup. Many players have given their all during the 2017/18 season in a bid to get a sit on the plane to Russia to represent their national teams. Since the decisions lie on the managers and their team, it was bound that many players would be shockingly dropped in teams especially with a lot of competition for places. Here, we look at some of the players who failed to make the cut on the final squad list.

Jack Wilshere – England

Regarded as England’s only creative genius, Jack Wilshere has suffered from injuries which hampered his progress ever since he made a name for himself at Arsenal. The player left for Bournemouth last season in search of playing time and had a decent season. He came back to Arsenal and was slowly integrated back into the first team fold. He played some crucial matches in the UEFA Europa League before being handed the chance to redeem himself in the Premier League where he scored 2 goals and provided 5 assists in all competitions. The player was called up to the national team by Gareth Southgate last month before picking up a slight knock that prevented him from playing. I think he is ruing that opportunity because it has cost him his place in the final team.

The England boss named his final list and the player was not even a part of the provisional five. He must be disappointed not to make it. Without Wilshere, England has little creativity from midfield which means that their chances of going far in the tournament have already reduced before even kicking a ball.