Raúl Ruidíaz, one of the great additions to coach Juan Reynoso's first call, played another match with the national team. The forward entered the field at the Rose Bowl stadium in the United States around the 70th minute of Peru vs. Mexico and took Gianluca Lapadula's place.
Before this Saturday, the striker had played his last game 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 World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers. Furthermore, Ricardo Gareca did not call the player again for the final stretch of the qualifiers, nor for the early-year friendlies, and much less for the playoffs against Australia.
Without 'Tigre' Gareca on the Bicolor's bench, 'Cabezon' Reynoso expressed in his presentations to the media that he has the best references for Ruidíaz. In fact, the national coach had already directed the '9' during his time with 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 forward appeared among the substitutes and wearing the number 30. In the second half, the Seattle Sounders man 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) have passed for Ruidíaz to play again with the national team. And, if the trend continues, he should be considered for the process that includes the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers and the 2024 Copa America.
When does the Peruvian national team play again?
After clashing with the Mexican national team, which will be at the 2022 World Cup Qatar, the team managed by Juan Reynoso will have another friendly match. The game will take place on Tuesday, September 27, starting at 7 pm (in our time) against the El Salvador national team at Audi Field stadium located in Washington D.C., United States.