Peru is welcoming Colombia to Estadio Nacional in round 7 of the South American World Cup Qualifications.
Alongside Bolivia, Peru is the weakest team in South America, and they are still without a win in these qualifications. Peru is also on a 3-game losing streak during which they conceded 8 goals while scoring 2 goals. With 4 scored goals, 10 conceded goals, and only 1 point, Peru is in 9th place in the standings, which is far away from the World Cup spot. Carillo is the leading goalscorer for Peru with 3 goals, and he is ready to play in this game. Peru was playing against Argentina in their last game in these qualifications, and they have had 52% of ball possession, but only 1 shot on goal, 3 corner kicks, 2 big chances created, and a solid 85% of the correct passes. Overall, this wasn’t a bad game for Peru, but their lack of offense was obvious, and Peru has lost this game 0-2. There are a few decent players in Peru’s roster, but not nearly enough to turn these qualifications around.
Colombia has started these qualifications well, but they got sloppy, and they lost their last 2 games. In their last game against Ecuador, Colombia has had 47% of ball possession, 2 shots on goal, 4 corner kicks, 1 big chance created, and only 74% of the correct passes. This was just a terrible, terrible game for Colombia, and it was basically over in the first half. Colombia has conceded 4 goals in the first half, and 2 more in the second half, one of which was after Ecuador conceded a red card. Colombia has lost this game 6-1. With 4 points, 6 scored goals, and 11 conceded goals, Colombia is now in 7th place in the standings, 2 points away from the World Cup spot. Muriel has scored 2 goals so far in these qualifications. On paper, Colombia is a solid team, more than solid, but James was left out of the Copa America list because he is not in good shape, and I’m sure they will miss him. So far, defensively, Colombia hasn’t been doing well, and that is something they need to fix right away, otherwise, their chances of winning Copa America are almost zero.
Peru hasn’t won any of their last 7 games, they are on a 3-game losing streak, and they are the perfect opponent for Colombia to take on right now. Peru hasn’t beaten Colombia at home in a long, long time, and I don’t think they will start now. I’m taking the better team, and that is Colombia.