Peru make positive and lasting impression despite early exit

South Americans draw praise from Denmark coach Hareide

If points were awarded for artistic impression and technical merit at the World Cup, Peru would have comfortably qualified for the last 16.

Although their first World Cup appearance for 36 years ended in group-stage elimination, the South Americans made a positive and lasting impression all around, whether for their enterprising performances or their travelling army of joyous fans.

Even Denmark coach Age Hareide, whose side qualified for the last 16 alongside France at Peru’s expense, said his team were somewhat fortunate to have progressed.

“The team that got three points, Peru, played the best football,” he said after his side’s 0-0 dismal draw against France on Tuesday — a game that will only add to the perception that the wrong team is going home.

They dominated the first match against Denmark, but lost 1-0 after missing a firsthalf penalty, and even managed to outplay France for parts of their second match, only to go down by the same score.

There was a sense of inevitability about their 2-0 win over Australia in the final game in Sochi, when they were already out of the competition and the pressure was off. The most pleasing aspect of Peru’s performances was that they faced their physically stronger opponents as equals and took the game to them, a brave move considering the relative inexperience of their squad.

Unlike other South American teams, Peru do not boast world class players and only one member of the 23-man squad, Watford’s Andre Carillo, is based with a club in the so-called big five European leagues.