Peru are coming off of a brilliant 2-1 win versus Colombia in the Copa America and have their sights on finishing second in Group B.
Ricardo Gareca’s team have played twice in Group B collecting three points from six available. After losing 4-0 to Brazil, they managed a solid win versus Colombia, the team many South America football onlookers expected to finish second.
¡GANAMOOOOOOOOOOS! 🔴⚪🔴¡Los primeros 3️⃣ puntos de nuestra 'blanquirroja'! 🤩@FCFSeleccionCol 🇨🇴 1-2 @SeleccionPeru 🇵🇪 ⚽ Sergio Peña (17') y Yerry Mina (EC) (64')#UnidosPorNuestrosColores#ArribaPerú 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/4DIorJraj6— Selección Peruana 🇵🇪 (@SeleccionPeru) June 21, 2021
¡GANAMOOOOOOOOOOS! 🔴⚪🔴¡Los primeros 3️⃣ puntos de nuestra 'blanquirroja'! 🤩@FCFSeleccionCol 🇨🇴 1-2 @SeleccionPeru 🇵🇪 ⚽ Sergio Peña (17') y Yerry Mina (EC) (64')#UnidosPorNuestrosColores#ArribaPerú 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/4DIorJraj6
Ecuador are propping up Group B. They have taken just one point from six available. Following a 1-0 loss to Colombia, Ecuador drew 2-2 with Venezuela. Gustavo Alfaro’s team have struggled for goals and points to this point.
Peru and Ecuador have played 54 times dating back to 1938. The Peruvians lead the all-time head-to-head series in wins with 22. The teams have drawn 15 times while Ecuador have posted 17 victories against Peru.
Ecuador are on a terrible run of form. They have not won any of their last four games. One of those losses came in CONMEBOL 2022 World Cup qualifying versus Peru.
Gareca’s Peruvian team won 2-1 on June 8 thanks to goals from Christian Cueva and Luis Advincula. Ecuador’s Gonzalo Plata pulled a goal back in the 90th minute with game beyond them.
Ecuador coach Alfaro is without the team’s most important attacking player for the game. Captain Enner Valencia will serve a one-game suspension after picking up two yellow cards in the tournament.
Plata should return to the team after being dropped versus Venezuela.
The duo of 19-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion player Moises Caicedo Jhegson Mendez could also start the game.
Gareca is expected to play an unchanged Peru XI after their 2-1 victory over Colombia on Monday.
Former AC Milan striker Gianluca Lapadula is likely to lead the line with Sergio Pena, Andre Carrillo and Cueva supporting him in the attack.
Peru may have needed an own goal to win versus Colombia, but they played well throughout the game. They collected 41% possession, completed 364 passes, and tallied 11 shots with three on target.
Ecuador’s 2-2 draw with Venezuela saw them dominate the game, but fail to put away La Vinotinto. They tallied 19 shots with seven on target along with 69% possession.
Still, they twice allowed Venezuela to come from behind to level the scoreline.
Peru could move into second place in Group B with a victory and Colombia loss or draw to Brazil this week. The Peruvians should win with both sides scoring and over 2.5 goals tallied.
Ecuador were open at the back versus Venezuela and should be once more against Peru.