LIMA: Gonzalo Higuain’s equaliser salvaged a point for Argentina in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Peru in their 2014 World Cup qualifier here on Tuesday.
The visitors looked subdued, particularly talismanic forward Lionel Messi, and Peru took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when defender Carlos Zambrano slotted home Farfan’s low cross from the right.
Seven minutes before halftime Argentina equalised with their first meaningful attack, Higuain applying a superb finish to Ezequiel Lavezzi’s cross to register his sixth goal of the qualifiers.
Despite the draw, Argentina remain top of the South American standings on 14 points from seven matches, one ahead of Colombia and Ecuador, and two in front of Uruguay and Chile. Peru have seven points.
Messi told reporters he was disappointed that Argentina could not play their game, saying: “It was more fight than football, we couldn’t play as we like.
“Higuain’s goal was worth a lot. We got a draw which isn’t bad in the qualifiers,” he added.
Fernando Gago was badly injured after 60 minutes when a Peruvian defender fouled the Argentina midfielder then fell on top of him.
Gago was carried off on a stretcher with a neck brace and taken to hospital, with Pablo Guinazu taking his place.
Gago suffered concussion but soon recovered, according to Argentina media reports.
Higuain almost snatched what would have been an undeserved winner for Argentina in added time with a low shot that Fernandez pushed out for a corner. (Reuters)
