Hundreds of Peru fans have descended on the Argentine capital Buenos Aires as their team attempts to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1982.There was a carnival atmosphere as the passionate travelling support greeted the arrival of their heroes at Ezeiza Airport before heading to the Plaza Miserere in the city centre.Thousands are expected to travel from Peru for Thursday night's crunch World Cup 2018 qualifier with their team on the brink ending their long absence from the tournament.
Two buxom Peru fans pose for selfies in the Plaza Miserere in Buenos Aires ahead of their nation's crunch World Cup qualifier with Argentina on Thursday night
Thousands of Peru fans are expected to make the trip as they aim to qualify for the World Cup
Scores of excited fans gathered at Ezeiza Airport to greet the team as they flew in
Peru have the chance to qualify for a World Cup finals for the first time since 1982
Peru currently sit fourth in the South American qualifying table, level on points with Argentina but ahead of their next opponents by virtue of goals scored.With Brazil already qualified, there are three more automatic places for Russia up for grabs and, if Peru can avoid defeat at La Bombonera, they will be in pole position to secure one.Peru are at home to Colombia in their final qualifying match on Tuesday and are optimistic of avoiding a fifth-place finish, which will mean a two-legged play-off match with New Zealand next month.The country previously qualified for the World Cup in 1930, 1970, 1978 and 1982, but their fans have endured a long wait since.
Peru are currently in the fourth and final automatic qualifying position
REMAINING FIXTURES
Round 1: Bolivia vs Brazil, Venezuela vs Uruguay, Chile vs Ecuador, Colombia vs Paraguay, Argentina vs PeruRound 2: Uruguay vs Bolivia, Peru vs Colombia, Ecuador vs Argentina, Brazil vs Chile, Paraguay vs Venezuela
This young Peru fan won't have seen his country at a World Cup but 2018 could change that
This supporter came dressed as a the 'Ghost of '69' referring to the time Peru beat Argentina in a qualifier to make it to Mexico 1970
In one of many intriguing sub-plots to Thursday's game, Peru are managed by Argentine Ricardo Gareca, a man tasked with knocking his own nation out of contention.Back in 1985, Gareca actually scored the decisive goal as Argentina drew 2-2 with Peru, earning them a place at Mexico 1986 and consigning Peru to a play-off, which they lost to Chile.There will be a boisterous atmosphere at La Bombonera, home of Boca Juniors, with a large contingent of travelling fans for one of the most important games in their history.The choice of venue has already proved controversial, with the Argentina FA deciding to move the fixture from the larger-capacity Estadio Monumental, the home of River Plate.How Peru turned it around
2015October 8 Colombia (A) 0-2October 13 Chile (H) 3-4November 12 Paraguay (H) 1-0November 17 Brazil (A) 0-32016March 24 Venezuela (H) 2-2March 29 Uruguay (A) 0-1September 1 Bolivia (A) 3-0 *awarded due to ineligible playerSeptember 6 Ecuador (H) 2-1 October 6 Argentina (H) 2-2 October 11 Chile (A) 1-2November 10 Paraguay (A) 4-1November 15 Brazil (H) 0-22017March 23 Venezuela (A) 2-2March 28 Uruguay (H) 2-1August 31 Bolivia (H) 2-1September 5 Ecuador (A) 2-1Thursday Argentina (A)Tuesday Colombia (H)While they claim the tighter pitch and claustrophobic atmosphere will give Argentina the edge, critics claim the FA wanted to make tickets scarcer and therefore more expensive.Peru may not have qualified for the World Cup since 1982, but their current FIFA World Ranking of 12th is no accident.Having lost four of their opening six qualifiers, Gareca's team have staged an astonishing revival to give themselves a great shot at reaching the finals and they head to Argentina having won their last three by a 2-1 scoreline.
The Peru players are transported from the airport to their hotel as supporters watch on
Fans clamour to take photographs of the team coach as the players are collected at the airport
The travelling Peru fans, armed with drums and tambourines, will create plenty of noise
The famous red sash of Peru may feature at next summer's World Cup finals in Russia
The turning point came in game seven and almost be accident. They lost 2-0 away to Bolivia, but the home side fielded an ineligible player and Peru were later awarded a 3-0 win.In the nine matches since then, they have won five, drawn two and lost two. Amazingly, if they win their two remaining qualifiers, Peru will rocket to at least fifth in the FIFA rankings and make them a seed for the finals draw on December 1.
The Peru team train in Lima ahead of their crucial trip to Argentina for World Cup qualifying
Peru boss Ricardo Gareca, who hails from Argentina, is trying to knock out his own nation
Paolo Guerrero, the Peru striker and captain, has scored 32 times for the national side
Peru's playmaker Christian Cueva in action during their qualification match with Bolivia