Peru's president pays tribute to national team after World Cup qualification

Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Peru's president who ran as a centrist candidate, was among those celebrating the country's first World Cup berth since 1982.

Kuczynski paid tribute to Peru at the Palacio de Gobierno on Friday, two days after La Blanquirroja qualified for the 2018 World Cup by beating New Zealand 2-0 on aggregate in an inter-confederation play-off. Among those in attendance were Edwin Oviedo, the Federacion de Futbol Peruana's president, and Lucho Galarreta, the Congreso de la Republica's president.

A shirt was given to Kuczynski that featured the No. 10 and his initials.

"Congratulations to all the players for this great achievement," Kuczynski said, according to El Comercio. "As I told them the other day at the Swiss Hotel, 2-0 and it seems like something was watching." The president concluded: "I'm sure that they'll perform with honour and victory. I thank you for sharing this moment with us, here at the Palacio del Gobierno. ... Long live the Peruvian team, long live its manager, long live Peru!"

Peru's footballers and Ricardo Gareca, meanwhile, received a medal of honour from the Congreso de la Republica.

A non-working day was declared in Peru to "facilitate the natural celebration" of La Blanquirroja's achievement, and supporters flooded the country's streets to celebrate the end of a wait that stands at 35 years.