Chile's World Cup dreams dashed as David Ospina's fatal touch leads to bizarre goal
The Arsenal goalkeeper's instincts ruled logic to help send Peru into the World Cup play-offs – and consign club-mate Alexis Sanchez to a summer off
Peru scored a 76th-minute equaliser against Colombia, with a point securing La Blanquirroja fifth place and an intercontinental play-off against New Zealand.
The goal also meant Alexis Sanchez's Chile slipped out of contention into sixth place, following their 3-0 defeat to Brazil. But it all could have been so different.
Peru's equaliser came from an indirect free-kick, meaning Paolo Guerrero's strike wouldn't have counted had Ospina kept his hands away from the ball. (Though there is a question that it struck James Rodriguez in the wall on its way in – replays are still somewhat inconclusive.)
Unfortunately the message hadn't got across to the Arsenal goalkeeper, who failed to keep the shot out but also got a touch on the ball as it went beyond him.
Fortunately, Ospina won't be completely ostracised – a draw was enough for Colombia to take fourth spot and secure automatic World Cup qualification. Alexis might not be so forgiving, mind...
See also...
Mexico goalkeeper scores stupidly unfortunate own goal as Honduras qualify for World Cup play-off
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