David Ospina had his part to play in a dramatic end to World Cup qualifying in South America, resulting in Arsenal teammate Alexis Sanchez missing out.
The final night of qualifying matches saw Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru all fighting it out for fourth and fifth place in the group. Fourth place was the final automatic qualification spot, while the fifth placed team would play a play-off against the Oceanic group winners, New Zealand.
Alexis’ Chile had the toughest task, as they visited table-toppers Brazil needing a win. They occupied fifth spot before kick-off, and knew that they could stay there even in they lost, provided other results went their way.
They went on to lose 3-0. With a Messi-inspired Argentina now up to third in the group, and Paraguay losing to Venezuela, it all came down to the Peru-Colombia game. Colombia had been winning, a result which would have saw them take fourth and Chile remain in fifth.
Then, in the 75th minute, Peru were awarded an indirect free-kick. Paolo Guerrero stepped up to take it, and his shot managed to beat David Ospina.
Normally, the goal would not have been allowed to stand. However, it appears Ospina got a hand to the ball before it crossed the line, technically making it an own-goal and levelling the game for Peru, reports Football.London.
Guerrero's goal by Peruvian TV.
Narrator: "Indirect free-kick, Paolo!
He takes it… GOAL!
He (Ospina) touched it!
He touched it!" pic.twitter.com/ihNUlVRT3W— FlamengoENG: Следуйте за лидером (@FlamengoENG) October 11, 2017
The draw was enough for Peru to leapfrog Chile into fifth on goal difference. Alexis will reflect on a poor qualifying campaign from Chile, but lament that things didn’t go his way when they needed to.