Peru 2 Scotland 0: World Cup-bound hosts cruise to win
Goals from Christian Cueva and Jefferson Farfan helped Peru past Scotland in an international friendly.
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Peru outclassed an undermanned Scotland in a 2-0 friendly win as they continued their World Cup preparations on Tuesday.
Christian Cueva scored a first-half penalty at the Estadio Nacional de Lima, where the hosts started well but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
But they were far more dominant in the second half, particularly after Jefferson Farfan doubled their lead.
While they were unable to claim a more comprehensive win, Peru recorded their fourth straight victory as they look ahead to their first World Cup appearance in 36 years.
Without their suspended star and all-time leading goalscorer Paolo Guerrero, Peru started a strong side, including Farfan.
An understrength Scotland had four debutants – Jordan Archer, Lewis Stevenson, Stephen O'Donnell and Dylan McGeouch – in their starting XI.
Playing in front of their home fans for the last time before the World Cup, Peru – who will face France, Australia and Denmark in Russia – were in control in the opening stages.
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Cueva was the first to threaten, his 35-yard free-kick pushed away by Scotland goalkeeper Archer in the sixth minute.
After being put under early pressure, Scotland settled into the encounter, pushing Peru back as the first half wore on, although most of their chances came from set-pieces.
Some sloppy defending gave Peru an opportunity on the half-hour mark, but Farfan's strike from inside the area lacked the power to trouble Archer.
But the hosts took the lead before half-time after a Scott McKenna handball gifted them a chance from the penalty spot.
Cueva made no mistake with his spot-kick, drilling an effort into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
anotó y celebró así recordando a Paolo May 30, 2018
Peru doubled their lead early in the second half through Farfan.
Yoshimar Yotun was released down the left before picking out the 33-year-old forward, whose strike proved too powerful for Archer to handle.
Celebración de Jefferson dedicada al capitán Paolo May 30, 2018
The goal was Farfan's 25th for Peru, moving him into outright third for most strikes for the nation.
It also appeared to settle his team, who were in complete control from that point on, although they were unable to extend their advantage.
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