LIMA: Peru became the 32nd and last country to secure their place at next year’s World Cup finals in Russia after goals either side of half-time from Jefferson Farfan and Christian Ramos provided a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the second leg of their inter-confederation playoff.

The teams played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Wellington on Saturday and although both sides had chances in a tense match in Lima, Peru were more clinical in front of goal.

The Peruvians, who last went to the World Cup finals in 1982, celebrated wildly at the final whistle which was also marked by the government announcing a national holiday.

Peru took the lead on 27 minutes when Farfan hammered home a fierce rising shot from just inside the penalty area to complete a sweeping counter-attack.

They could have scored more but an early drive from Luis Advincula hit the posts and All Whites keeper Stefan Marinovic did well to stop a bending drive from Miguel Trauco and then get a hand to Farfan’s shot from the rebound.

New Zealand brought on Chris Wood at halftime in search of a vital away goal and a series of long balls to the towering Burnley striker managed to put Peru on the back foot in the early stages of the second period.

However, the Kiwis could not make their temporary control of the contest count and Ramos doubled Peru’s lead after 64 minutes when he seized on a loose ball from a corner kick and lashed it into the roof of the net from close range.

The result extended Peru’s unbeaten run to 10 games, their longest such streak in 75 years.

Coach Ricardo Gareca, an Argentinian, said: “Mission accomplished, thank you. We have managed something very important for the country. I am very emotional.”

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