Peru blasted a penalty over the bar and wasted other great chances in an unlucky 1-0 defeat to Denmark, decided by Yussuf Yurary Poulsen’s counter-attack.
It was Peru’s first World Cup appearance since 1982, but while star striker Paolo Guerrero saw his doping ban suspended so he could participate, he was initially on the bench and not 100 per cent fit.
Peru blasted a penalty over the bar and wasted other great chances in an unlucky 1-0 defeat to Denmark, decided by Yussuf Yurary Poulsen’s counter-attack.
It was Peru’s first World Cup appearance since 1982, but while star striker Paolo Guerrero saw his doping ban suspended so he could participate, he was initially on the bench and not 100 per cent fit.
William Kvist was stretchered off after an accidental knee in the ribs, forcing the Danes into an early change. It was substitute Lasse Schone who tested the goalkeeper after Christian Eriksen’s free kick was deflected.
VAR was used when Yussuf Yurary Poulsen mistimed his tackle on Christian Cueva and caught his trailing foot, although the Gambian referee probably should’ve been able to see that foul without a video replay. Cueva took it himself, but after a stuttering run-up, he blasted it over the bar.
Just after Peru wasted another golden opportunity, they were caught on the counter-attack by Yurary Poulsen on an Eriksen assist and Denmark went in front.
Kasper Schmeichel made a crucial one-handed save on Edison Flores moments later, while substitute Guerrero’s header was smothered and Alberto Rodriguez nodded just wide.
It was a Peru siege and Yurary Poulsen got back to turn a Carillo chipped assist practically off the line, but Guerrero almost scored a legendary World Cup goal with his back-heel flick scraping the upright.
Schmeichel performed another spectacular save with his feet to deny Jefferson Farfan, but Peru’s finishing overall let them down in an unlucky defeat.
Peru 0-1 Denmark
Yurary Poulsen 58 (D)
Peru: Gallese; Advincula, Rodriguez, Ramos, Trauco; Tapia, Yotun; Carrillo, Cueva, Flores (Guerrero 62); Farfan (Ruidiaz 85)
Denmark: Schmeichel; Dalsgaard, Kjaer, Christensen (M Jorgensen 81), Stryger-Larsen; Kvist (Schone 35), Eriksen, Delaney; Yurary Poulsen, N Jorgensen, Sisto (Braithwaite 67)
Ref: Gassama (GAM)
Missed penalty: Cueva 44 (P)