Why did Peruvians remember Christian Cueva after the Qatar 2022 World Cup draw?

Today the draw for the Qatar 2022 World Cup was held: if the Peruvian national team wins the repechage on June 13, they would face each other in Group D where France, Denmark and Tunisia are; the first two are known for the bicolor, because they faced in Russia 2018. With the 'Red Dynamite' he lost 1-0 in his opening match, and was defeated, with the same result by the 'Les Bleus', who won the crown of that tournament.

Christian Cueva, who is a pillar of the Peruvian national team, became a trend after the World Cup draw. This is because 'Aladdin' missed the penalty against Denmark at last's World Cup event in the first of the 'White-Red', who attended a World Cup tournament after 36 years.

At the end of the first half, Poulsen knocked down the bicolor midfielder, although the chief judge let the action follow then turned to the VAR and took the penalty.

Christian Cueva stood in front of the ball to run the ball, but the ball went too far up the goal defending by Danish goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel. It was the first time that the Peruvian national team missed a penalty in the world championships; in previous international tournaments the 'Blanquirroja' had scored both times in this way and they had become a goal. In the end, Denmark won 1-0.

In 2020, in a conversation with Carlos Zambrano via Instagram of the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF), the player from Al-Fateh of the Saudi Professional League, spoke about the twelve-step shot missed and confessed that he is part of football.

“Missing the penalty is part of football, I don't have to apologize to anyone. At that time I felt confident, because I had been doing penalties. And in that play they fouled me”, he said.

He also commented that Paolo Guerrero and Jefferson Farfan, referents of the Peruvian national team, were going to lift his spirits, as it was a feeling that no one was desired even though he was confident that he was going to score the penalty.

“I don't wish that moment on anyone. It's hard for you. When I missed the penalty, I didn't wake up. Paolo and Jefferson came and they lifted my spirits. I was confident, that's why I grabbed the ball,” he said.

Christian Cueva also mentioned that he would not be afraid to kick another penalty if necessary: “Be careful, I'm going to take a penalty, well, first they summon me. And if I fail it again, no way (laughs)”.

In Russia 2018, the Peruvian national team said goodbye in the first phase after losing to Denmark, stumbling again against France (1-0). He only won his final group C match against Australia (2-0), which he may face in the playoff.

COMMENTS ON SOCIAL NETWORKS

After the Qatar 2022 draw, memes about Christian Cueva began to spread on social networks, as well as others about the mascot or the same tournament. Many users commented that it was the rematch of the midfielder, who has been fundamental to Ricardo Gareca's strategy in the Peruvian national team's scheme.

“It will be your revenge Cuevita”, “I fully trust you. To get through that repechage and have our rematch. “Come on Cuevita, I hope you have your well-deserved rematch”, “Dale Cuevita, we are in group D, it's time to correct that penalty”, were some of the comments.

Before this happens Peru has to face the winner between the United Arab Emirates and Australia on June 13 in Doha from 01:00pm (Peruvian time) in a single match. Whoever wins will have the chance to attend the World Cup event.

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