World Cup Winning Shirts #4
Sashaying to the World Cup: Peru 1970
Much like the French 2014 jersey, the uniqueness of Peru’s 1970 strip is what sets it apart from others and earns it a place amongst the all-time greats.
This relatively simple white shirt was exquisitely dissected by a bold red diagonal sash that ran from left shoulder to right-hand hip. The prominence of this truly striking motif was strengthened by the decision to place a somewhat diminutive crest just underneath (rather than overlaid). The collar could be buttoned-up or left splayed open; a look that was very much in keeping with the fashion of the decade.
This regal design was first seen at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. On the pitch the team traversed the competition with relative ease, including a 7–3 routing of Finland. In the quarter finals they faced an Austria team who had become the focus of Nazi favour following Germany’s elimination. Having gone 2–0 down in the first half they drew level in the second before having three goals disallowed by the Italian referee in extra-time. Yet the controversy did not end there. Peru scored two further goals to take a 4–2 lead before a pitch invasion in the 119th minute led to an Austrian player becoming injured and the match being abandoned.
With five black players in their team Peru decried a conspiracy, claiming that Hitler ordered the intervention as he would not countenance further embarrassment following Jesse Owens’ heroics on the track. They subsequently boycotted the rescheduled game and went home. The truth of what happened that day would never be fully uncovered.
Strangely the design was discarded until 1970 when it returned with aplomb in Mexico — the first World Cup to be broadcast in colour. It was also the first time that La Blanquirroja had qualified for the tournament (having been invited to play in 1930).
Their opening game came just two days after their homeland had been ravaged by the Ancash earthquake. They quickly conceded two goals to Bulgaria, yet this team contained a fantastic spine of centre back Héctor Chumpitaz, mazy midfielder Teófilo Cubillas, forward Hugo Sotil, and striker Alberto Gallardo: they rallied to win 3–2. In the next game they defeated Morocco 3–0; and despite a subsequent loss to West Germany (1–3), they got through the group stages, whereupon they faced Pelé’s Brazil, who beat them 2–4.
Despite some success in the Copa America over the years, the national team would only feature at a further two World Cup competitions. That is until they qualified for the 2018 tournament having beaten New Zealand 2–0 in the play-offs. Their achievement sparked national euphoria and the declaration of a national holiday!
Placed in Group C with France, Denmark, and Australia they are unlikely to progress, however with the return of the sash across both first and second strips they will draw many admiring eyes in Russia.
