Peru left the World Cup with their heads held high after goals from Andre Carrillo and Paolo Guerrero earned them a 2-0 win over Australia.
Experienced striker Guerrero, who was only allowed to play in the tournament after the captains of Peru’s World Cup opponents petitioned FIFA to temporarily lift his suspension, made the most of what may have been his final appearance for Los Incas, who finished with three points to add to the many plaudits they have won in Russia.
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Their opener would have been worthy of winning any World Cup match, Carrillo volleying Guerrero’s weighted cross into the net to beckon forth a cavalcade of emotion from the hordes of Peru fans packing the stands in Sochi.
The talismanic Guerrero, 34, made his mark on the game’s biggest stage with his 36th international goal early in the second half, extending his record as the country’s all-time leading scorer.
Despite head coach Bert van Marwijk throwing on talented 19-year-old Daniel Arzani and veteran Tim Cahill to try and turn the game, Australia failed to muster a comeback as they finished bottom of Group C.
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A win would not have been enough for the Socceroos anyway, as Denmark picked up the point they needed to accompany France through to the last 16.