Peru 0-1 Paraguay Player Ratings: Damián Bobadilla 8.5/10 Rated as Substitute's Strike Snatches Victory 0-1

This was a classic, gritty WC Qualification South America encounter. The match at the Estadio Nacional de Lima felt tense from the very first whistle. It was a hard-fought battle with very little separating the two sides for large spells of the game. From our perspective, it was a tactical chess match. Neither team wanted to give an inch defensively. Paraguay came with a clear strategy. They absorbed pressure, stayed compact and frustrated the home side. We noticed their discipline was immense throughout the ninety minutes. Peru, on the other hand, had more of the ball but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. They seemed to run out of ideas against a stubborn Paraguayan defense.

The game was ultimately decided by a moment of inspiration from the bench. Matías Galarza Fonda's 78th-minute strike was the difference in this tight affair. It was a sucker punch that Peru never recovered from. Despite a late push, they just couldn't find a way through. It's a massive win on the road for Paraguay. Here are the Peru vs Paraguay player ratings.

Peru Player Ratings vs Paraguay

Here are the Peru player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Pedro David Gallese Quiróz - 6.5: He made a couple of decent saves, including a good stop from a Ramón Sosa shot. Looked generally composed when called upon. However, there was little he could do about the well-placed winning goal. A solid but ultimately defeated performance from the keeper.

Defenders

Marcos López - 6.0: A quiet game for the left-back. He was solid enough defensively, making six clearances. But offered very little going forward which Peru needed. We expected more attacking impetus from him. His delivery was not up to scratch on the night.

Carlos Zambrano - 6.0: A standard performance from the veteran. He won his tackles and was positionally sound for the most part. His passing was mostly safe and sideways. Didn't make any glaring errors but also didn't impose himself on the game. Just an okay evening.

Renzo Garces - 5.5: He struggled at times against the physicality of the Paraguayan forwards. Made a few important clearances but also looked a little shaky in possession. Was substituted late on as Peru chased the game. An evening he will want to forget quickly.

Luis Advíncula - 6.5: One of the few Peruvian players who tried to make things happen. He was energetic down the right flank and attempted to get forward. His final product was lacking though. He blazed one shot over the bar from a decent position. A frustrating night full of effort but no reward.

Midfielders

Sergio Peña - 5.5: A really disappointing performance from our perspective. He got into some good positions but was incredibly wasteful. Missed a couple of decent chances that a player of his quality should be testing the keeper with. His decision-making in the final third was poor before being subbed.

Renato Tapia - 7.0: A real workhorse in the middle of the park. He broke up play effectively with 10 ball recoveries and tried to drive his team forward. His long-range shot forced a good save from the keeper. One of Peru's better performers on a difficult night for the team.

Yoshimar Yotún - 7.5: Peru's best player while he was on the pitch. The captain was everywhere, drawing fouls and trying to orchestrate play from deep. He made key interceptions and looked the most likely to unlock the defense. It was a surprise to see him substituted just after the hour mark.

Joao Grimaldo - 6.0: Flitted in and out of the game. He showed some nice touches and successful dribbles but had little overall impact. His passing was neat enough, but he failed to provide a creative spark. A learning experience for the midfielder against a tough opponent.

Kenji Cabrera - 5.0: A very tough outing for the young midfielder. He just couldn't get into the rhythm of the match. His pass accuracy of 38% tells its own story. He lost possession too easily and was rightly substituted after 62 minutes. Not his night at all.

Attacker

Luis Ramos - 5.5: Completely isolated and ineffective up front. He was dominated by the Paraguayan center-backs, winning only two of his eight duels. He offered no threat in behind or as a focal point. A passenger for much of the game.

Substitutes

Jairo Concha - 6.0: Came on for Yotún but couldn't replicate the captain's influence. Had one shot from distance that missed the target.

Kevin Quevedo - 6.0: Brought on to add some spark but was well-marshalled by the opposition defense.

Piero Cari - N/A: Came on late with little time to make an impact.

Erick Noriega - N/A: A late defensive change.

Oliver Sonne - N/A: Introduced for the final few minutes.

Manager

J. Fossati Lurachi - 5.0: His team lacked a cutting edge and a clear plan to break down a low block. The decision to take off his most influential player, Yotún, was baffling. His substitutions failed to change the course of the match. A poor tactical showing.

Paraguay Player Ratings vs Peru

Here are the Paraguay player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Orlando Gill - 7.5: A very confident performance from the goalkeeper. He commanded his area well and made a crucial save to deny Renato Tapia in the second half. His distribution was effective. A clean sheet and a win is the perfect night for a keeper.

Defenders

Gustavo Velázquez - 6.5: A typically rugged display. He was aggressive in the tackle and picked up a yellow card for his troubles. Made four clearances and was a nuisance at set-pieces. Substituted after 68 minutes after putting in a real shift.

Omar Alderete - 8.0: A colossal performance at the back. He was a rock, winning his duels and making crucial blocks. His passing from the back was surprisingly crisp and accurate. He was a major reason why Peru's attack was so quiet all evening. Outstanding.

Agustín Sández - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular game. He tucked in well alongside his fellow defenders and didn't put a foot wrong. His job was to defend, and he did it effectively. His passing was a bit wayward at times but it didn't matter.

Gustavo Gómez - 8.0: The captain led by example with an imperious display. He won 100% of his duels and organized the backline masterfully. What stood out to us was his calmness under pressure. A true leader's performance that was fundamental to the victory.

Midfielders

Ramón Sosa - 7.0: A lively and energetic presence on the flank. He was always looking to be positive, drawing fouls and creating a chance. Forced a good save from Gallese with a well-struck shot. A constant thorn in Peru's side until the very end.

Diego Gómez - 7.5: A dominant force in midfield before his substitution. He drove forward with the ball, created chances, and tested the keeper from distance. His energy set the tone for Paraguay's aggressive midfield approach. A very impressive showing.

Damián Bobadilla - 8.5: Our man of the match. He was simply superb in the heart of midfield. Controlled the tempo with his excellent passing range, completing 61 passes. He was also immense defensively, with 7 ball recoveries and 3 tackles won. A complete midfield performance.

Ángel Romero - 6.0: A quiet first half for the attacker. He worked hard off the ball but struggled to get involved in the play. He was substituted at halftime in a tactical switch that ultimately paid off for his manager.

Attackers

Antonio Sanabria - 6.0: A thankless task leading the line for much of the game. He battled hard against the Peruvian defenders but was often isolated. Won a few headers but didn't get a sniff of goal. Sacrificed in the second half for a different approach.

R. Martínez - 6.0: Like his strike partner, he worked tirelessly but had little service to work with. He was caught offside once and put in a shift for the team. Replaced at halftime as Paraguay shuffled their pack.

Substitutes

Matías Galarza Fonda - 8.5: The hero of the hour. Came on at halftime and completely changed the game. Scored the winning goal with a brilliant left-footed strike from the center of the box. The perfect impact substitute. His goal won the match, simple as that.

Juan José Cáceres - 6.5: Came on and slotted seamlessly into the defence to help see out the game.

Gabriel Ávalos - 6.5: Offered a different kind of threat up front and helped hold up the ball.

Braian Ojeda - N/A: Brought on late to add fresh legs and secure the midfield.

Manager

D. Garnero - 8.5: A tactical masterclass. His team was organized, disciplined, and resilient. His halftime changes and second-half substitutions were inspired. Bringing on Matías Galarza Fonda proved to be a stroke of genius that won his team the three points.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Damián Bobadilla