The Riazor Stadium in La Coruña (Spain) was the last venue that witnessed a goal from Peru in a World Cup. The author of that nostalgic conquest was Guillermo La Rosa in the defeat against Poland. However, Peruvians are just a few days away from having the possibility, finally, to shout another goal from the 'bicolor' in a World Cup tournament.
This Saturday 16th, the Peruvian national team will debut in Russia 2018 against Denmark at the Mordovia Arena Stadium, located in the city of Saransk and where the Mordovia Saransk club usually plays home matches. Will that be the place where we will shout another goal from the 'blanquirroja' in the biggest football event?
Formerly called Yubileyniy Stadium, the aforementioned sports venue was remodeled and expanded in 2010 for the World Cup, a competition for which it will have a capacity of 45,000 spectators.
The Mordovia Arena has natural grass and its renovation is estimated to have cost around 267 million euros. Once the World Cup is finished, the stands of the third arc will be removed, reducing the stadium's capacity to 30,000 spectators.
In this modern venue, around which some entertainment venues have been built to create atmosphere during matches, four World Cup matches will be played: Peru vs. Denmark, Colombia vs. Senegal, Iran vs. Portugal, and Panama vs. Tunisia.
Inaugurated on April 21st this year, the Mordovia Arena is located in the center of Saransk, a city characterized by its large number of prisons and because French actor Gerard Depardieu established his residence there after receiving Russian citizenship in 2013.
Saransk, located 650 km from Moscow, is the capital of the Republic of Mordovia and has a population of just over 300,000 inhabitants. It is usually a reference point for cultural activities and its residents are very proud of their identity and customs.