United States Defeats Peru 4-1 After Second-Half Collapse

By Alonso Contreras

United States 4, Peru 1

The United States defeated Peru 4-1 after pulling away in the second half, turning a 1-1 halftime score into a convincing victory with three goals after the break.

Peru started the match with a strong response after conceding early. The United States opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Justin Ellis headed home to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

Peru quickly answered.

In the 15th minute, veteran striker Gianluca Lapadula leveled the match with a header, bringing Peru back into the game and sending both teams into halftime tied 1-1.

The second half, however, belonged to the United States.

Peru made several substitutions early in the second half, including Wilder Cartagena, who entered the match in the 57th minute. Cartagena was later shown a yellow card in the 49th minute of the match timeline.

The United States regained the lead in the 66th minute when Malik Tillman converted a penalty, making it 2-1.

Just six minutes later, the Americans extended their advantage. Julian Hall scored in the 72nd minute to make it 3-1 and put the match firmly in United States' control.

Peru continued making changes in an attempt to get back into the match, but the United States continued to control the closing stages.

The final blow came in the 90th minute when Sebastian Berhalter scored to complete the 4-1 victory.

Match Timeline

• 4' — USA 1-0: Justin Ellis scores with a header.

• 15' — USA 1-1 Peru: Gianluca Lapadula equalizes with a header.

• 49' — Peru: Wilder Cartagena receives a yellow card.

• 66' — USA 2-1: Malik Tillman scores from the penalty spot.

• 72' — USA 3-1: Julian Hall extends the lead.

• 90' — USA 4-1: Sebastian Berhalter completes the scoring.

Peru's Second-Half Changes

Peru introduced Álex Valera, Jesús Pretell and Bassco Soyer in the 57th minute, replacing Gianluca Lapadula, Wilder Cartagena and Piero Magallanes.

Later, Osmar Mora, Renzo Vilca and Jostin Vélez entered in the 76th minute, followed by Jairo Concha and Jesús Vidales. Marcos López and Yoshimar Yotún were also booked during the second half.

Despite the changes, Peru could not find another goal after Lapadula's first-half equalizer.

The result leaves the United States celebrating a 4-1 victory after a second half in which three unanswered goals decided the match.