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The qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, United States, and Mexico have begun. And although the Peruvian National Team had a difficult start against Paraguay, not only due to the absences but also because of the good game that the 'guaraní' team had in Ciudad del Este - in addition, we played the second half with 10 players after Luis Advíncula's expulsion -, in the end, we rescued a valuable point. However, that challenge is already behind us, and now the new opponent to face - Brazil - deserves all the attention. Especially because the match will be in our home, at the National Stadium.
Although the 'Canarinha' had a great debut, with a 5-1 win against Bolivia, that does not make them underestimate any opponent, especially if there is an internationally renowned figure in the opposing team, like Paolo Guerrero. This was stated by Bruno Guimarães in the press conference held last Sunday in our country.
"Paolo is well known to us. We know a lot about him, he played a lot in Brazil, he is a great number 9. It will be a difficult match, we have to withstand the pressure. We think that in the first half, within 10 or 15 minutes, they will apply strong pressure," said the Newcastle United midfielder. He also added, "we know Advíncula, Guerrero, Trauco, and Carrillo [...]. They are a difficult team to play against, especially here."
Matheus Cunha's words
However, Guimaraes was not the only one who referred to the 'Predator'. His teammate in the 'Scratch', Matheus Cunha, highlighted the career of the captain of the 'bicolor' and stated that "I am particularly a fan of Guerrero. [The Peruvian national team] has many players who went through Brazil. We have knowledge of some of them, we know they can surprise us, it depends on how we enter the match."
Regarding Tuesday's match, Cunha expressed that they will seek to give everything to get the three points. "We are going to play to win. It will be a very difficult match. Peru had a very good game in Paraguay. Peru will play for its people, with the stadium full," he said in a press conference.
Finally, he added that the goal they have set for Tuesday, in addition to winning, is to showcase their game even more: "We feel spectacular. That feeling of being with Brazil, it's spectacular to live with it. We certainly have a lot to improve, a lot to learn. I hope that against Peru we can play more, that's what we always want."
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