FIFA World Cup 2018: Peru muffs penalty, bow to Denmark
Teams from South America would love to forget day 3 of the Fifa World Cup 2018 as quickly as they can. Though Argentina managed to hold Iceland to a 1-1 draw, Peru, making a return to World Cup finals after 36 years, muffed a penalty to lose by a solitary goal to Denmark.
In its third day, the FIFA World Cup 2018, has already witnessed four penalties of which two were put to full use yesterday and today the remaining two were muffed. The culprits were Argentina and Peru. Both Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Christian Cueva (Peru) disappointed their teams. While Messi shot into goalkeeper of Iceland, Christian Cueva, instead, sent the ball soaring into orbit at a time when his team needed an equaliser.
Statistically, both penalty awards came following the use of Video Assistance Referee (VAR). It is unique system introduced in soccer on the pattern of video replay or video referee in some sports, including hockey and cricket.
FIFA has set up a centralised VAR centre in Moscow and each venue there is VAR room where the referee can go and consult. Today both the penalty awards came after VAR intervention.
Interestingly, before coming here, Peru played its last World Cup in 1982 while Denmark made its debut in 1986. Naturally, it was the first ever World Cup encounter between the two teams.
Now at the end of first round of round robin league, both Peru and Australia, were at the bottom of the table with zero point while France and Denmark shared the top spot with three points each.
For Peru, the defeat was all the more demoralising as they dominated proceedings and had plenty of scoring chances
Peru has brought perhaps the largest crowd of fans. There are approximately 40,000 Peruvians here to cheer their team.
The result, however, was a big disappointment for them.
After a barren first half, it was Poulsen, who carries the name Yurary on his jersey, scored the all important goal with a left footer. Yurary is the name of his late father who died of cancer. The goal was scored in the 59th minute after which Peru went all out and even brought in its top scorer Guerrero into play.
Guerrero, whose ban because of doping was lifted recently, was benched and not played till 62nd minute. His induction, too, could not help Peru to score.
