Although the hosts were mathematically eliminated before kick-off, they were the better side in the first half, yet couldn’t find the magic touch in the final third. After a cagey opening 20 minutes, the first chance fell to Joao Grimaldo as he towered above a static defence to meet a deep cross, but his header flashed just wide of the post.
He had the best chance of the half minutes later, too, when he received the ball while through on goal, but he delayed his effort and then opted to pass rather than shoot, failing to find a teammate and wasting the chance in the process.
The visitors were largely passive as an attacking threat, but Pedro Gallese had to be alert to divert a thunderbolt from Ramon Sosa wide of the goal.
Peru had one final chance before HT through Renato Tapia, but his powerful shot was tipped around the post by Orlando Gill. The second half continued in a similar fashion as the visitors appeared to be going through the motions, and it was Peru who looked most likely to break the deadlock.
Grimaldo continued to threaten and looked dangerous with an industrious run on the right, but his cross was punched clear before a teammate could head home. Carlos Zambrano was the next to threaten with a header at the back post, although Gill was equal to it as he tipped it over the bar.
Having shown little attacking intent throughout the game, it was the visitors who pounced to take the lead after 78 minutes. A flowing passing move was finished at the back post by Matias Galarza, and that proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Although Paraguay’s place at next summer’s finals was secure before kick-off, this result ends a two-game run without a win to see them end the campaign on another high. As for Peru, with only two wins and six goals from their 18 games, the only consolation is that results elsewhere ensure they don’t finish bottom of the group.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Matias Galarza (Paraguay)
