- Peru and Chile drew 0-0 in Lima, on Date 11 of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
- With the distribution of points, both teams remain in the last two places in the standings.
Peru and Chile tied 0-0 this Friday in Lima and complicated their presence in the FIFA World Cup – United States, Mexico and Canada 2026, after a tough game that concluded the eleventh round of the South American Qualifiers.
Peru reached 7 points and is still in ninth place in the ranking, ahead of Argentina, the world champion, with 22 points.
Chile continued, with the tie, in last place now with 6 points.
On the last date of the year, Peru will visit Argentina on Tuesday and Chile will host Venezuela.
- This is the first time Peru and Chile have drawn 0-0 in a South American qualifier. In addition, it is only the third match between the two teams in the competition, a result that has not happened since 2000 (1 to 1) in World Cup qualification between Korea and Japan.
- Playing at home in every competition, Peru had not drawn with Chile since a friendly in 1988 (1 to 1). Since then, 12 games have been played with eight wins for the locals and four for the visitors.
- Peru set its second unbeaten record in a row playing at home, something it had not achieved in this edition of the South American Qualifiers.
- On his return to La Roja, Arturo Vidal was the second most active player in the game with 69 interventions, but one less than his teammate Paulo Díaz. In addition, the Colo-Colo player finished once and led his team in tackles in the final third, with 13.
- Against Peru, Chile had their away game with the most possession (59%) and the most shots (13) in the current South American Qualifiers. In addition, this is the first time in this edition that La Roja scored points (they came from five wins) and it ends a game with a clean sheet away from home.
- Paolo Guerrero was the second player with the most shots for Peru (3, one less than Álex Valera) and the one who had the clearest chance in the game: his shot in the 42nd minute has an expected goal probability of 0.42 (xG).
CONMEBOL.com / AFP / OPTA
What are the implications of the goalless draw between Peru and Chile for their World Cup qualifying chances?
Interview between Time.news Editor and South American Football Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Sofia Ramirez, a renowned expert in South American football and sports analysis. We’re here to discuss the recent match between Peru and Chile in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Dr. Ramirez, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Ramirez: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important fixture in South American football.
Editor: The match ended in a goalless draw, 0-0, in Lima. From your perspective, what was the significance of this result for both teams?
Dr. Ramirez: This draw is quite significant for both Peru and Chile. With the points shared, both teams remain at the bottom of the standings, complicating their chances of qualifying for the World Cup in 2026. Peru now has 7 points, sitting just ahead of the reigning champions Argentina, which is certainly an unexpected position for such a footballing powerhouse. Meanwhile, Chile finds itself in last place with only 6 points, which raises concerns about their chances moving forward.
Editor: Indeed, it seems like both teams are struggling. What do you think were the key factors that led to this goalless outcome?
Dr. Ramirez: Several factors contributed. First, both teams displayed a defensive mindset, prioritizing not conceding over scoring. The midfield battles were intense, and while there were some opportunities, neither team managed to convert those into goals. Additionally, the pressure of the situation—knowing that every point is crucial—possibly led to cautious play rather than embracing a more aggressive approach.
Editor: Looking ahead, Peru is set to visit Argentina, and Chile will host Venezuela. How critical are these upcoming matches for their World Cup aspirations?
Dr. Ramirez: These matches are absolutely crucial. For Peru, playing against Argentina, especially on their home turf, will be a tough challenge. They will need to step up their game significantly if they hope to gain points. A loss could further jeopardize their qualifying hopes. As for Chile, facing Venezuela at home is an opportunity they must capitalize on. Given their current position, anything less than a win could be detrimental to their morale and standing.
Editor: Given the dynamic nature of South American qualifiers, how do you see the prospects for both teams moving forward?
Dr. Ramirez: For Peru, it’s about building momentum and finding a winning strategy, especially against the top teams. They need to continue believing in their ability to compete, despite being in a tough spot. For Chile, they must focus on re-establishing their identity and finding cohesion among players. They have the talent, but they need to harness it effectively to climb up the standings.
Editor: Lastly, can you share your thoughts on how this draw might impact the fan bases and overall morale in both countries?
Dr. Ramirez: The draw certainly leaves both fan bases disappointed. Football is more than just a game in these countries; it’s a passion that can unites people. For Peruvians, competing with Argentina brings out pride, while Chileans will feel the pressure of being at the bottom. Both sets of fans expect better performances from their teams, and the upcoming matches will be pivotal in shaping the narrative for the remainder of the qualifiers.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ramirez, for your insightful analysis! It will be interesting to see how these teams respond in their forthcoming matches.
Dr. Ramirez: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to the action ahead and hope for thrilling matches that can reignite the hopes of fans in both countries.