Buenos Aires –
Referee leadership in matches Argentina vs Peru received criticism. The referee was considered biased because he often blew the whistle when Lionel Messi got hit.
Argentina national team entertain Peru at La Bombonera in the match 2026 World Cup qualification CONMEBOL zoneWednesday (20/11/2024). The Tango team narrowly won 1-0 via Lautaro Martinez’s goal.
The home team appeared dominant throughout the match. Argentina recorded 10 shots (3 on target) and 74 percent possession of the ball, while Peru could only make 2 shots (0 on target) during 90 minutes.
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Peru is only superior in statistics for making violations, namely 18 times compared to Argentina’s 10 times. 5 fouls were made against the captain AlbicelesteLionel Messi.
The captain criticized the many violations that Peru received. Paolo Guerrero. He considered referee Wilmar Perez to be unfair and too protective of Messi.
“I don’t know what analysis you make of this match, but physically I think we are equal. It’s a bit difficult when the referee conditions you, he keeps pressing you,” said Guerrero, quoted from Mark.
“They pushed us and the referee didn’t give a single foul, you touch Messi with your finger and it’s all a foul. Nobody questions that because he’s Messi,” quipped the 40-year-old striker.
The victory at La Bombonera made Argentina firmly at the top of the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings in the CONMEBOL zone with 25 points. Peru is still struggling at the bottom with 7 points.
(bay/ran)
Argentina vs Peru: A Referee’s Comedy of Errors
So, it was a night in La Bombonera, the Argentine fortress where more drama unfolded than in your average soap opera. We witnessed Argentina face off against Peru in a match that was less about soccer and more about a tempestuously biased referee blowing his whistle like a child with a new toy. Honestly, I haven’t seen a whistle blown so much since my last trip to the dentist!
Now, let’s set the scene: Argentina, with the inimitable Lionel Messi orchestrating the play like a maestro, took the stage against a Peruvian side that couldn’t manage to hit the broad side of a barn with their shots. During the 90 minutes, Argentina had the ball 74% of the time, while Peru’s shot count was more reminiscent of a toddler’s aim than a professional soccer team. Only two shots? Zero on target? I’ve seen better aim from my cat when she’s trying to catch a fly!
But let’s not let stats overshadow the real star of the show: Wilmar Perez, the referee. Oh, Wilmar! The man who considers ‘foul play’ to mean 🥉 keeping a watchful eye on Messi while completely ignoring the 18 fouls Peru committed! You can’t make this up! I mean, even the roaches in La Bombonera must have been scratching their antennae thinking, “where’s our protection?”
And then there’s Paolo Guerrero, whose comments could have easily filled a locker-room bulletin board. He asserted that the referee’s favoritism toward Messi turned him into a referee who seemed to think he was protecting the royal family. “You touch Messi with your finger and it’s a foul!” Guerrero said, and honestly, it’s hard to disagree with him. If Messi was any more pampered, he’d be cushioned in velvet and carried around like a king!
It’s almost amusing how the narrative spins into “Messi’s delicate presence” while the rest of the players are tripping over air! Guerrero went on, “it’s a bit difficult when the referee conditions you.” Could we *please* give this man a platform already? His observations are more astute than the last five matches’ commentaries combined!
Despite the perfumed whistles and carrot placements, Argentina walked away victorious, snatching that all-important 1-0 with a fine goal from Lautaro Martinez. Firmly perched atop the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings, Argentina boasts 25 points to Peru’s weary 7 points, who are still trying to figure out how to find daylight through their thick fog of foul play.
In conclusion, let’s all raise a glass (or maybe a whistle) to a match that served comedy in spades, even if the footballing skill was dimmed by a referee’s questionable judgment. Let’s just hope the next time we tune in, it’s the players who steal the spotlight, not the referee blaring his little instrument more than a school band on parade day!
“They pushed us and the referee didn’t give a single foul. You touch Messi with your finger and it’s all a foul. Nobody questions that because he’s Messi,” – Paolo Guerrero.
Buenos Aires –
The officiating during the high-stakes match between Argentina and Peru has faced significant backlash, with many pundits criticizing the referee’s apparent bias. Observers noted that the referee frequently blew the whistle whenever Lionel Messi was involved in physical challenges, leading to questions about fairness in officiating.
On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the Argentina national team hosted Peru at the iconic La Bombonera stadium, competing for crucial points in the 2026 World Cup qualifying rounds within the CONMEBOL zone. The match concluded with a hard-fought 1-0 victory for the Tango team, thanks to a decisive goal from Lautaro Martinez.
Throughout the contest, Argentina showcased their dominance, registering 10 total shots with 3 on target, while commanding an impressive 74 percent possession of the ball. In stark contrast, Peru managed a mere 2 shots, none of which troubled the Argentine goalkeeper over the full 90 minutes.
Peru, however, led in the foul count with a total of 18 infractions compared to Argentina’s 10. Among these were five fouls committed against the Argentine captain, Albiceleste, Lionel Messi, further igniting the heated debate surrounding referee performance.
Following the match, Peruvian captain Paolo Guerrero expressed frustration towards the officiating, labeling referee Wilmar Perez as inconsistent and overly protective of Messi. He emphasized the physicality of the contest and questioned the fairness of the decisions made throughout.
Guerrero remarked, “I don’t know what analysis you make of this match, but physically I think we are equal. It’s a bit difficult when the referee conditions you; he keeps pressing you,” showcasing the discontent among the Peruvian players regarding the match officiating.
The veteran striker further added, “They pushed us, and the referee didn’t give a single foul; you touch Messi with your finger, and it’s all a foul. Nobody questions that because he’s Messi,” highlighting the discrepancy in officiating seen during the match.
With this victory at La Bombonera, Argentina consolidated their position at the top of the CONMEBOL standings for the 2026 World Cup qualification, now boasting 25 points, while Peru continues to endure struggles at the bottom with a meager 7 points.
(bay/ran)
What were the key factors that contributed to Argentina’s dominance in the match against Peru despite the controversial officiating?
Argentina dominated possession, holding the ball for 74% of the match. They were able to record 10 shots, with 3 hitting the target, while Peru managed a meager two shots, none of which were on target. Despite this disparity in performance, the match was marred by controversy, particularly regarding the officiating.
The referee, Wilmar Perez, has come under fire for his handling of the game. Many analysts and fans have noted that he seemed to favor Messi in physical encounters, frequently awarding fouls whenever he was touched, while ignoring blatant fouls committed against other players. Peru’s captain, Paolo Guerrero, voiced his frustrations, stating that, “You touch Messi with your finger and it’s all a foul,” highlighting the apparent bias in officiating. He further criticized the referee, claiming that it made it difficult to compete on a level playing field, as he felt the officiating skewed the dynamics of the encounter.
This match not only highlighted Argentina’s supremacy in the current World Cup qualifiers, as they now sit atop the standings with 25 points, but also shed light on ongoing discussions concerning fairness in officiating, particularly in high-stakes matches. On the other hand, Peru remains in a precarious position at the bottom of the table with just 7 points.
while Argentina celebrated a narrow victory, the controversy surrounding the officiating continues to cast a shadow on the beautiful game, raising essential questions about equity and bias in sports refereeing.