Watch Colombia vs. Peru live stream free as the two South American countries face-off on their first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Both sides are dealing with setbacks as they meet to decide who will advance to Russia in 2018. One of the major names missing from this stage is Colombia’s 2014 World Cup superstar James Rodiguez, who will be sidelined with a thigh injury.
Incidentally, Rodriguez was injured during a friendly against Peru September 8, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The Colombian striker hasn’t recovered and missed the Madrid Derby, Bleacher Report stated. Rodriguez will also miss the match against Uruguay for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Watch Colombia vs. Peru live stream free to see how the South America powerhouse deals with the loss of its striker. Real Madrid manager spoke to Sport about James Rodriguez’s injury ahead of the match against Peru Thursday.
“We worked on Thursday with the injured players and he felt a pain in the same area as the injury. He’s not ready to play for us yet and neither Colombia.
“The new problem is not serious, although the objective was to recover as soon as possible and be ready for Atletico. But we tested him and he didn’t come through it.”
It is safe to say that Colombia without James Rodriguez doesn’t pose the same threat against a Peru that impressed during the 2015 Copa America . Peru is certainly hoping to take advantage of Colombia’s weaknesses, however, they have not won a qualifier on the road for 11-years, according to ESPN.
If you watch Colombia vs. Peru live stream free, you will find out if Colombia can consolidate itself as one of the new South American top teams. Their success in Brazil last year took the world by storm, and Rodriguez propelled Colombia into the international consciousness with his simple yet fun style.
Peru, who historically have been a non-issue for others in World Cup qualifiers, will be playing in the coastal city of Barranquilla. The humidity there is overwhelming and will not make it easy to prevail, however, both teams are ready to battle each other and the weather.
Colombia’s coach, Jose Pekerman, has more than James Rodriguez’s injury and the weather to worry about ahead of the clash against Peru. Watch Colombia vs. Peru live stream free and find out whether recent statements Pekerman made suggesting Colombia’s star Radamel Falcao has lost confidence since joining Chelsea this past summer are proven right.
“Falcao is coming to play 90 minutes after a lot of time at his club (Chelsea) having few opportunities, 15 or 20 minutes, in games that are in development; and that’s cost him not having continuity.
“We always have the hope that he rediscovers his confidence. He always deserves to be called up.”
Falcao has disappointed since he joined the Premier League in the summer, scoring only one goal in eight appearances for Chelsea. But at the same time, since making his international debut for Colombia in 2007, Falcao has been capped 60 times and scored 25 goals for Los Cafeteros.
On Thursday, we will see if Colombia can regain the spark that made them an international sensation in Brazil. After the disappointing performance at the 2015 Copa America, where they scored one goal in four matches and barely qualified for the knockout stage, José Pékerman is ready to move to the next phase of his plan to consolidate his team’s place in the Continent. Rodriguez’s absence makes things more difficult.
Watch Colombia vs. Peru live stream free from Barranquilla, Colombia, here . Kick-off is at 4:20 p.m. ET.
[Photos by Lars Baron, Shaun Botterill/Getty Images]
