World Cup: Five bold Group C predictions

Peru won’t finish bottom of the group

The Peruvians are unbeaten since 2016, an impressive statistic that makes them one of the red-hot sides heading into the competition. Their recent displays in friendlies, though they are just warm-up matches, have been laudable and that sort of thrust should spur them.

Pablo Guerrero’s rescinded ban from the tournament will only fuel them further, and initial predictions of them being overwhelmed by the exhilarating, yet daunting, occasion of the World Cup are evaporating.

They are by no means part of the established South American powerhouse. Previously consisting of Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia have started to rise to prominence and that area of the world is gathering momentum on the footballing stage.

Peru are a part of that this time around, and they will want to help emulate South America’s superb 2014 performance.

Getting through qualifying alone was an achievement for Ricardo Gareca’s side – pipping Chile, Paraguay and Ecuador to the final qualification spot was respectable, and then carrying it through in an arduous game with New Zealand completed the task.

The majority, if not all, of Peru’s squad weren’t even born when the South Americans were last at a major competition, meaning it is a fresh adventure for their men.

A World Cup is an experience that select few players will relish for their national sides, and despite the burdening weight of expectation it is a truly special occasion.

It could go one of two ways. The pressure of the World Cup could see Peru crumble, or they could rise to the surface as a romantic World Cup story. Their recent firepower suggests the latter shouldn’t be ruled out.