Peru vs Paraguay: Gianluca Lapadula's header broke the crossbar in a duel for Qatar 2022 Qualifiers

Peru vs Paraguay: Gianluca Lapadula almost scored a leading goal in the match valid for the 18th and final date of the Qatar 2022 Qualifiers that was played at the Stadium National of Lima.

After 83 minutes of play, Christian Cueva received free and unmarked for the right winger of the Peruvian national team's attack. 'Aladino' controlled and launched a center near the edge of Paraguay's small area.

Cueva's service reached the head of the attacker Gianluca Lapadula who connected and crashed the ball on the crossbar after the feline intervention of Guarani goalkeeper Antony Silva. In the first half the 'Bambino' also sent his shot to the pole. After 5 minutes, the Italian-Peruvian player opened the score in favor of the bicolor (5'').

Peru coach Ricardo Gareca lined up with Pedro Gallese, Carlos Zambrano, Luis Advíncula, Alexander Callens, Miguel Trauco, Yoshimar Yotún, Christian Cueva, Renato Tapia, Edison Flores, Sergio Peña and Gianluca Lapadula.

Paraguay's coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto chose this lineup: Antony Silva, Fabian Balbuena, Junior Alonso, Omar Alderete, Robert Rojas, Richard Ortiz, Oscar Romero, Andrés Cubas, Richard Sanchez, Julio Enciso and Sebastián Ferreira.

The Peruvian national team arrives in the match with Paraguay after three wins, one draw and one defeat in the last five matches of the bicolor that allowed them to reach the last date of the qualifying round of the qualifying round of the playoffs with the options intact to qualify for the playoff zone.

Peru had three straight wins against Bolivia in Lima (3-0), Venezuela as a visitor (1-2) and Colombia in Barranquilla (1-0). He then equalized with Ecuador at home and suffered a loss to Uruguay in Montevideo last Thursday, March 24 at the Centenario Stadium with the controversy of the missed goal at the end of the match.

Fifth place in the standings qualifies for the World Cup Repechage. Precisely, the Peruvian national team occupies that place with 21 points, while Colombia and Chile follow it from sixth and seventh place in the standings with options to overcome if the bicolor does not win.

The representative of the South American Confederation (Conmebol) faces the Asian Confederation (AFC) qualifier in the World Cup Repechage next June. At the moment, the United Arab Emirates and Australia will define in phase 4 of the Asian qualifiers in the continental quota for the repechage.

MATCHES OF THE LAST PLAYOFF DATE

Peru vs Paraguay (Lima National Stadium)

Ecuador vs Argentina (Monumental Stadium of Guayaquil)

Bolivia vs Brazil (Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz)

Chile vs Uruguay (San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium in Santiago)

Venezuela vs Colombia (Cachamay Stadium in Puerto Ordaz)

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