Two-time champions Uruguay are through to the World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar after beating Peru in a crucial game as far as the South American qualifying section is concerned. The Uruguayans came into the home game with Peru knowing that a win will take them to Qatar with one game to spare and they were able to achieve the outcome needed from the match.

It had earlier looked like Uruguay won’t be at the World Cup 2022 tournament on Qatari soil after the suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of hosts Bolivia in November. However, they were able to get their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign back on track with two successive wins over hosts Paraguay and Venezuela at home ahead of the showdown with Peru on Thursday. Ahead of the game, one point and one place separated Uruguay and Peru. The Uruguayans were in fourth spot and the final automatic spot for the World Cup 2022 tournament from the South American region, while Peru were in fifth spot and the inter-confederation playoff spot.

Uruguay were able to secure their place in Qatar thanks to the 1-0 win over Peru at home with the only goal of the game coming from Giorgio De Arrascaeta three minutes before the interval. The win over Peru ensured that Uruguay don’t need their last qualifying game, an away clash with Chile who are still trying to qualify for the World Cup 2022 tournament via the inter-confederation playoffs. The Chileans need to secure fifth spot at the expense of current recipient Peru to make it to the inter-confederation playoffs.

In addition to Uruguay, Ecuador also made it to Qatar 2022 despite suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Paraguay. Newcastle United attacker Miguel Almiron was one of the goalscorers for Paraguay who won’t be at the World Cup 2022 tournament.