Last month, after a wild final day of World Cup qualifying matches in CONMEBOL (South America’s soccer confederation), four teams booked a direct ticket to the 2018 World Cup in Russia: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Colombia. Copa America champs Chile were eliminated, while Peru, a country that hadn’t made it to the World Cup since 1982, qualified for a two-game playoff against New Zealand to fight for one of the final spots in Russia.
Earlier this week, the teams played to a 0-0 draw in New Zealand, setting up a dramatic second leg in Peru. Here’s how it went down.
The Estadio Nacional de Lima was absolutely packed with fans ready to be a part of history.
CREDIT: LatinContent / Getty
Before the match began, fans sang together to hype up La Blanquirroja.
Esto es genial amigos. Genial!!! pic.twitter.com/FBKBB8Yl00
— Gustavo Peralta Coel (@Gustavo_p4) November 16, 2017
Early in the first half, Jefferson Farfan shot a rocket past New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic to give Peru a 1-0 lead. Everyone in the stadium, including the TV announcers, went absolutely nuts.
Así vivieron en #Perú el gol que les llevó al #Mundial 36 años después. El narrador es @Arevalosport12 del canal ATV Perú pic.twitter.com/w1ixm1y3QG
— Sphera Sports (@SpheraSports) November 16, 2017
During his celebration, Farfan held up the jersey of teammate Paolo Guerrero, who scored a crucial goal last month that kept Peru’s World Cup hopes alive. Guerrero was suspended from both matches after previously testing positive for banned substances.
After the goal, Peru’s 36-year World Cup drought looked to be over, if La Blanquirroja could hold on to the lead. “Se rompió el maleficio (The curse has been broken),” exclaimed one of the announcers.
Things got so raucous in Lima that a seismic activity monitor was activated during the celebration of the first goal.
INCREÍBLE | Alarma de Sismo Detector se habría activado en el Distrito de Lima debido a la celebración del gol de Perú a Nueva Zelanda.
— Sismologia Chile (@SismologiaCh) November 16, 2017
“INCREDIBLE. Alarm from seismic detector was activated in the District of Lima due to the celebration of the goal from Peru against New Zealand,” wrote Sismologia Chile.
In the second half, Christian Ramos gave Peru breathing room with this goal:
This Christian Ramos goal sent Peru on their way to a first World Cup in 36 years last night.
Football. 😍pic.twitter.com/iBgW5ry0JQ
— Tifo Football (@TifoFootball_) November 16, 2017
After 90 minutes, New Zealand couldn’t muster up enough offense to score any goals. As the final whistle neared, the stadium was ready to erupt. And it did.
Peru got its ticket to #Russia2018 #PeruAlMundial #Mundial #PTYNews @fepafut https://t.co/x5HAqoyC8e pic.twitter.com/HUUeDYCyDg
— Panama Today (@panamatodaynews) November 16, 2017
In the middle of the pandemonium, Peru coach Ricardo Gareca smiled, looking more relieved that anything else.
The celebration continued into the locker room…
Así fue la celebración en el vestuario. #ArribaPeruCarajo pic.twitter.com/n4pt3jF6Cx
— Gustavo Peralta Coel (@Gustavo_p4) November 16, 2017
… In the stadium…
Se entona el himno en el Nacional para festejar la clasificación. @liberope pic.twitter.com/6mgGWsYG5z
— Gustavo Peralta Coel (@Gustavo_p4) November 16, 2017
… And onto the streets.
– Ceja, a dónde vamos?
— Rodrigo Morales (@cejamorales) November 16, 2017
Some fans couldn’t help but shed a tear after the historic victory…
Watched the Peru qualifier with a Peruvian friend. Peru qualified for the first time in 36 years . He was in tears . This is why I love football. pic.twitter.com/UtsYviwdwW
— modeminho (@modeminho) November 16, 2017
While others took part in, um, NSFW celebrations.
La gente ya quemó 🇵🇪 pic.twitter.com/BEJKXhBk5P
— nimrod. (@nimrodrigo) November 16, 2017
Peru fans from different generations were able to celebrate the historic moment together.
El fraternal abrazo de dos generaciones unidos por un sentimiento mundialista… pic.twitter.com/FdmdeMi0Or
— TADOKORO (@tadokolo79) November 16, 2017
Peru’s President, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, congratulated the team via Twitter.
Esperamos más de 35 años para estar nuevamente en un mundial. Gracias guerreros por darnos esta alegría! Celebremos todos con responsabilidad. Arriba Perú! #EstamosDeVuelta
— PedroPablo Kuczynski (@ppkamigo) November 16, 2017
And Kuczynski declared the following day a public holiday so people could continue to celebrate (or recover from all the post-match partying).
¡Buen Día, 🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪!
"NOS VAMOS AL MUNDIAL", Después de 36 años, Perú clasificó a su quinto Mundial tras superar un duro repechaje. El país no para de celebrar y agradecer a Ricardo Gareca por este logro. ➡ https://t.co/vYGAdn1lwB pic.twitter.com/b456TikKQ0— Libero.pe (@liberope) November 16, 2017
Congratulations, Peru! See you at the World Cup.
CREDIT: SeleccionPeru / Twitter
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