Argentina remains unbeaten in the qualifying series for the 2022 World Cup. The team of national coach Lionel Scaloni won local time for the first time since 2004 in and against Peru on Tuesday evening and is on ten points after four games; only Paraguay was undefeated against los Albicelestes. The showdown in Lima ended in 0-2 thanks to goals from Nicolás González and Lautaro Martínez. Lionel Messi did not appear on the scoreboard for the third international match in a row, despite his numerous efforts.

In the ninth minute, Peru asked for a penalty after a crash by Christian Cueva, but the VAR also concluded that goalkeeper Franco Armani had made no foul. In the seventeenth minute Argentina struck: after a wonderful pass from Giovani Lo Celso with the outside of his foot, González worked the leather behind Pedro Gallese. For the attacker it was his second goal in five A-matches: 0-1.

A few minutes later, Nicolás Tagliafico seemed to be on his way to 0-2, but his shot after a pass from Messi was blocked in time. In minute 28 it was still hit. After a pass from Leandro Paredes, Martínez was not offside and he passed Gallese. Peru still made a strong impression in the last fifteen minutes of the first half and also had some strong phases after the break, but the home team could not prevent the first home loss against Argentina in 16 years.

Messi also tried to score, but the request for a penalty was not honored and a good shot on goal was diverted and went wide. It was thanks to Gallese that Lucas Ocampos, with his first touch on the ball, and Angel Di Maria could not provide a bigger win. Tagliafico was within the lines for ninety minutes, while Lisandro Martínez got no playing time from Scaloni.

Argentina awaits meetings with Uruguay and Brazil in March, which has two points more as the leader. Peru, which has only one point after four matches, will face Bolivia and Venezuela at the same time.