Peru punishes Croatia in World Cup warm up

A goal by Andre Carrillo in the first half and another by Edinson Flores in the second sealed an impeccable 2-0 victory for Peru in the prelude to the World Cup in Russia.

Carrillo put the team ahead in the 12th minute on Friday when they consummated a collective play of pressure at the rival's exit that ended with an error in the delivery of the ball by the Croatian central, reports EFE news agency.

From then on, the panorama of what the match would play out at Hard Rock Stadium was drawn.

The suffocating pressure on the Croatian exit channels and a compact formation behind to neutralise the offensive aerial game allowed the Argentine coach Ricardo Gareca to control a friendly match that, due to the red and soft colours in the bleachers, seemed the game was in Lima and not in Miami.

In the 23rd minute Jefferson Farfán made a clear goal play by drawing a ball over his keeper before finishing the first goal near goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

At the start of the second half a deep pitch from Christian Cueva put Jefferson Farfán in a fast race, who dragged his custodian and forced Subasic to go out to meet the Peruvian point.

The shot of 'La Foquita' left the ball to Edinson Flores, who came from behind and put the ball in the back of the net.

Only 49 minutes passed and there was already a chasm between both teams.

Zlatko Dalic tried to tap into his resources but Gareca responded with refreshed players who barely consolidated a safe backward and quick scheme to the counterattack.

The Peruvian team will have a new appointment on Tuesday against the selection of Iceland, which will rival Croatia, Argentina and Nigeria in Group D of the World Cup in Russia.

The massive Peruvian demonstration Friday adds to a very positive day for the Latin American national teams that are preparing for the World Cup.

In the absence of the result of the commitment of Mexico against Iceland, this Friday, hours before, Brazil thrashed Russia by 3-0, and Argentina whitewashed Italy 2-0.

Colombia beat France 3-2, and Costa Rica prevailed against Scotland.

--IANS

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