Peru out after two games but still with a chance to end on a high

They made history and already they are history with no points from their first two games. But Peru have entertained in Russia and there is still one more chance to find a positive result. Peru waited 36 years for their dream return to the World Cup finals. Their chance of getting beyond the group stage might have lasted only five days, until Thursday's 1-0 loss to France, but they have made an impact in Russia.
Spain-based television journalist Phil Kitromilides tweeted: "Peru have had 27 shots in two games...and are eliminated with 0 goals and 0 points." Others commented on social media that one of the tournament's more entertaining teams was going home. And journalist and author Michael Cox tweeted: "Arrange Peru v Morocco for the rest day next Friday."
The neutral support will perhaps be of little consolation if they really do go home pointless and goalless but they have a chance in their final game, against Australia on Tuesday, to make sure that does not happen. "We thank the Peruvian fans so much for the great support in Russia," said their goalkeeper Pedro Gallese after the defeat to France. "We left everything on the field against two very tough opponents. But this does not end here, we are going to close the World Cup with the same attitude."
They play Australia in Sochi in what will probably be captain Paolo Guerrero's last World Cup game less than a week after his first. The 34-year-old all-time record goalscorer for his country was given his debut by Coach Ricard Gareca against France. He missed the first match because after being suspended for suspected doping he had been banned and believed he would miss his only chance to play a World Cup finals until the decision was reversed.
Guerrero says traces of cocaine found in his system had come from some 'Coca Tea' he had consumed. Asked about the doping charges that are still hanging over the player Peru coach Ricardo Gareca said: "He is a national hero. He was out for eight months and so the preparation was not the best.
"He did everything he could. We just hope things resolve themselves. He has done nothing wrong it was a mistake. We wish him all the best." Perhaps only Mexico have a greater fan presence in Russia and the thousands that had made the 27-hour train journey from Moscow barely had the energy to applaud the Peru players off the pitch in Ekaterinburg.
Most know that the team have not played badly but has just been unable to convert chances. According to FIFA statistics Gareca's team enjoyed 56 per cent of possession but it counted for nothing against highly-fancied France. In their second game they hit the crossbar and they missed a penalty in their first match.
Gareca lamented: "In these two games we created 10 chances including a penalty. We tried every which way but just could not score." Things might have been so different if Christian Cueva had scored from the spot against Denmark. Now the nation must look to Qatar 2022. But first there is one more chance against Australia. Peru have a major challenge before them. They have not won a World Cup game since they beat Iran 4-1 in Argentina in 1978. If they could put that right on Tuesday the journey home might not be so bad.