By Peru’s long and hard road to the World Cup, and the passion of its fans, gained the sympathy of soccer fans all over the world. But their exciting, full throttle, attacking style in their opener against Denmark has made fans of many neutrals that weren’t expecting such display.
From the first touch, Peru played like it had to catch up for all the World Cups it missed, running frantically to occupy spaces, shooting at the first sight of goal and disputing every ball with zeal.
Fans noticed it and were hyped.
Whoever is managing Peru on Football Manager has the 'shoot on sight' setting ticked and I am LOVING every minute.
— Golden Trunks (@PolarNigel) June 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/PierceKeith/status/1008020508888223750
Peru are ticking all the boxes
✔️Crazy goalkeeper
✔️Great jersey
✔️All out attack #PERDEN— Jamie (@FCTwenteBenson) June 16, 2018
I like Peru already. Proper mental South American team #PERDEN
— Foozinho (@foozinho) June 16, 2018
Peru’s instructions for this one: pic.twitter.com/wz3ASGlTtY
— Phil Baki (@bakiBalboa) June 16, 2018
Peru with a refreshing style of international football
— LFCZA (@LFCZA) June 16, 2018
The fan excitement grew with the passing minutes and the numerous occasions Peru was creating. Then, Christian Cueva was granted a penalty and proceeded to send it high above the goal. The miss was heartbreaking for the new Peru sympathizers:
Nooooooo Peru fluff a penalty…. pressure licked him!
— Katharine Merry (@KatharineMerry) June 16, 2018
But they got over it with some clever jokes:
Peru’s penalty just landed. pic.twitter.com/1uW1KMJ2X8
— Nick Akerman (@Nakerman) June 16, 2018
The face of the Peru manager after that missed penalty is priceless #SkiedIt #OutThePark #NotEvenClose#WorldCup #PER #DEN pic.twitter.com/KEQAAVTSob
— Jo Currie (@JoCurrie) June 16, 2018
The ball from the Peru penalty has landed, lads #PERDEN pic.twitter.com/9NWANZLZCG
— Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) June 16, 2018
In the end, the Danes took advantage of their only clear opportunity and scored. As time passed, fans started to discover how Peruvian soccer and suffering are synonymous:
What the fuck have Peru done to god for this?
— theRealMacca (@MaccaReal) June 16, 2018
The amount of times Peru has made Kasper Schmeichel do the turn and “please don’t go in ” look I like him but finish the ball, guys! you’ve made it to the big dance already, you can do it
— Bianca Henninger (@Beeyoncs) June 16, 2018
Peru actually play some decent football, they don’t deserve to lose this game
— Lewis Hills (@HillsLewis) June 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/deniseoxampo/status/1008041428767985664
The final whistle arrived and Peru lost the game, but captured the hearts and minds of fans, who lamented the bad luck of the team, and will surely be watching them against France.
Peru didn’t deserve to lose. Nothing bt dominance throughout the entire 90 minutes. Just a bit unlucky at the end but my respects to this team, nation and it’s fans.
— Nestor ‘Danny G’ Guzman (@iAmNestor99) June 16, 2018
Peru were a lot of fun to watch. Unlucky not to get anything from the game. An unbelievably terrible penalty miss cost them dearly #WorldCup #PERDEN
— PENTAJOHN DARK (@mccusker86) June 16, 2018
Cueva missed that penalty but maaaaaan did he ball the hell out today. This Peru team plays beautiful and everyone should go out tonight and eat some lomo saltado and drink an Inca Kola for your new favorite team.
— Miriti Murungi (@NutmegRadio) June 16, 2018
