Peru blitzes New Zealand to grab final World Cup berth

The field for the 2018 World Cup is set.

Peru, courtesy of a 2-0 victory over New Zealand in Lima on Wednesday, grabbed the final spot on offer for next summer's spectacle. The South American nation opened the scoring in the international play-off with a 28th-minute thunderbolt from veteran Jefferson Farfan; the opening leg finished goalless last week in Wellington.

Christian Ramos added a second marker in the 65th minute, erasing any doubt that Ricardo Gareca's side would be going to Russia.

Peru, which last appeared at the World Cup in 1982, came away with the win despite the absence of captain and star striker Paolo Guerrero, who was serving a provisional 30-day suspension after failing a doping test.

The party atmosphere in the country figures to extend for at least another 24 hours; prior to the match, the ministry of work declared Thursday would be a national holiday should the Peruvians book their ticket to the tournament.

As for New Zealand, the loss means the country will miss out on a second straight edition of football's quadrennial competition. The All Whites last qualified for the World Cup in 2010, famously earning a 1-1 draw against Italy.