Covid-hit Peru want Copa America semi-final upset against Brazil

Even the most ardent supporter of La Blanquirroja, one of the many nicknames adopted by the national team, knows just how precarious a moment their country finds itself in.

It is no exaggeration to say that two decades worth of democracy hangs in the balance. It is also no exaggeration when speaking to those living and working in the capital of Lima that fears of civil war are not in any way unfounded.

While Ricardo Gareca and his players are on the cusp of only a second final since 1975, Peru is mired in an ugly election campaign which, a month after taking place, is still to crown its winner.

‘We are currently going through a very complicated political moment in Peru,’ Pamela Rios Calmet, a reporter for popular sports newspaper El Deport and presenter for ESPN Peru, tells Sportsmail.

‘In this context, football becomes very important, as it creates an atmosphere of peace in the midst of chaos.’

Factor in also the sociological strains the country finds itself under armour sports dress right now; many aspects of society has been deeply wounded by the scale of the Covid pandemic.

According to , Peru has the world’s highest per capita death toll from Covid-19.

And so not only are the two election candidates – Keiko Fujimori and Pedro Castillo – involved in a bitter power struggle – which has included unsubstantiated allegations from Fujimori of election fraud – Covid has knocked almost 10 per cent of the population into poverty.

Economic safety nets have holes in and those that feel a black cloud is looming large over the country are unlikely to be talked around in this moment.

It highlights just how crucial Monday’s semi-final meeting with Neymar’s Brazil is for reasons that go way beyond football.

For a couple of hours Peru’s troubles will be paused, televisions will focus on events over in Rio and that black cloud, for 90 minutes at least, may make way for some sun.

‘Peru has always been a football-loving country and a loyal supporter of the national team,’ Camlet added.

‘Elections generated a lot of political and economic instability in recent weeks – the price of the dollar has soared for one. 

‘This has also, as a consequence, provoked people to take to the streets to protest in the midst of a pandemic.

‘But in football, a victory against Brazil will always be important.’

Camlet adds that Monday represents the final deadline for Peru’s Jurado Nacional de Elecionnes (JNE), the National Jury of Elections, to announce the winner.

‘This could happen in the middle of the match,’ she explains.’A victory could mean relief from the unrest that may well ensue.’

And so even in Brazil, even as the underdogs, Gareca’s players have a weight of responsibility as much as expectation on their shoulders.

It took a penalty shootout win over Paraguay in Goiânia, Brazil, to reach the final four just days ago. A pulsating encounter. An emotional one, too. A defining image of players face down in the turf at the end, physically and emotionally spent. 

It was a match that had one own goal, two red cards, six goals and a seven spot-kick shootout. Enough to distract a nation, to put it one way.

Jean Maravi, of the popular Trome newspaper, pins much of Peru’s recent successes solely on Gareca, the man he and others affectionately know as ‘El Tigre‘ – the Tiger.

‘El Tigre always reinvents himself,’ Maravi tells Sportsmail, when asked if Brazil will simply work Peru out in Rio as they did in the final two years ago.

‘Brazil are favourites but since Gareca took charge of Peru, we have become a competitive team. This is reflected in qualification to the World Cup, in the good runs at the Copa América and also helping Peruvian players to make moves abroad.

‘His decisions have almost always been the right ones and his good man-management makes the players give their all on the pitch. 

‘Without a doubt, Gareca has gone down in the history books for the good of the Peruvian national team.’

On Sunday he, uncharacteristically, appeared to be assessing his options, to the uninitiated it appeared more like experimenting. Often he settles on a side, here, not so.

Training was partially played out in a 4-2-3-1 while the remainder saw Gareca’s players working out in a back five with Jhilmar Lora – who only made his debut against Paraguay in the last round – Miguel Araujo, Luis Abram, Alexander Callens and Marcos López.

‘When it comes to this match, looking beyond favouritism, beyond the polls, all teams have their qualities and their ambitions,’ Gareca said on Sunday.

‘We arrive on our own merit. We have been improving. I would speak of a group that has both young and experienced players, and that when the time comes, we can say that Peru is a team that knows how to play in these types of competitions.’

Two years ago it was Peru and Brazil that met in the final, with the Selecao running out 3-1 winners on that occasion. Man City’s Gabriel Jesus and Everton’s Richarlison among the scorers that day.

Gareca refused to concede their golden opportunity to end their wait for the trophy had passed him and his players by. This will be his third Copa America semi-final in charge, more than any other coach in the nation’s history. It is no accident.

Now, while the election rips through the very heart of the country and its democracy, he and his players are within touching distance of the finale once more.

Odds have been stacked against Peru long before it even comes to the football this time round. All Gareca and his players can try to do is bring solace to a country crying out for some relief.

Boy, do they need it.