Raúl Ruidíaz, one of the big news in coach Juan Reynoso's first call-up, played another game with the national team. The forward entered the field of the Rose Bowl stadium in the United States near the 70th minute of Peru vs. Mexico and took Gianluca Lapadula's place.
Before this Saturday, the striker had played his last match with the national team on September 9, 2021. On that day, the 'Pulga' had minutes in the 2-0 defeat against Brazil in the framework of the qualifying matches for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Furthermore, Ricardo Gareca did not call the player again for the final stretch of the qualifying matches, nor for the friendly matches at the beginning of the year, and much less for the playoffs against Australia.
Without 'Tigre' Gareca on the bench for the national team, 'Cabezón' Reynoso expressed in his presentations to the media that he had the best references of Ruidíaz. In fact, the national coach had already directed the '9' during his time at Universitario de Deportes and they even became champions in 2009.
So, a few weeks ago, the 'Ajedrecista' renewed his trust in Raúl in the 'team of all'. Thus, for the match against Mexico, the striker appeared among the substitutes with the number 30. In the second half, the Seattle Sounders player took Gianluca Lapadula's place and had 20 minutes to show himself.
From September 9, 2021, to this Saturday, September 24, a total of 380 days (one year and 15 days) passed for Ruidíaz to play again with the national team. And, if the trend continues, he should be considered with a view to the process that includes the qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup and the 2024 Copa America.
When does the Peruvian national team play again?
After facing the Mexican national team, which will be in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the team managed by Juan Reynoso will have another friendly match. The appointment will be on Tuesday, September 27, at 7:00 PM (in our local time) against the El Salvador national team at Audi Field stadium located in Washington D.C., United States.