Peru beats Bielsa's Uruguay 1-0 in South American World Cup qualifying

LIMA, Peru -- Peru has won its first match in South American World Cup qualifying at the expense of coach Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay. The 1-0 home win Friday gave the hosts a boost in the 10-team round-robin competition after a long losing streak.

Miguel Araujo scored the only goal of the match with a header in the 88th minute to move Peru out of last place in the South American standings.

Third-place Uruguay has 15 points after nine matches, four less than leaders Argentina and one behind second-place Colombia. The first six teams in the table will secure a berth in the next World Cup in 2026 in North America.

Peru has six points, one more than last-place Chile.

Uruguay wasted several opportunities in the first half, with Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez and Maximiliano Araújo stopped by Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. The hosts took control of the match in the second half.

“I honestly feel responsible, due to the players we had in the midfield and in the offense, for such a small proportion of goal chances we created in the second half," Bielsa said.

Uruguay will host Ecuador on Tuesday, the same day that Peru faces fourth-place Brazil.

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