The Paolo Guerrero goal on Tuesday was a happy epilogue to all the drama that surrounded the Peruvian striker's participation in the World Cup.
After helping Peru clinch a spot in the intercontinental qualifier against New Zeland, Guerrero failed a doping control test, and that's where a whole nation's odyssey started.
He was first banned from all FIFA competitions for one year, which meant he would miss the World Cup.
After an initial shortening of the ban, his sanction was extended even further to 14 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
However, on May 31st it was announced that Guerrero would be able to play in the World Cup as the Swiss Federal Tribunal unbelievably lifted the ban two weeks prior to the tournament's kickoff.
Peru was eliminated from the World Cup after losing to Denmark in its debut and facing defeat once more against France in the second leg.
However, the third game brought a bittersweet end to Peru's culmination of the tournament.
Peru finished the first half leading the game 1-0 after a masterclass strike by André Carrillo in the first half.
It was La Blanquirroja's first World Cup goal in 36 years so, as you might expect, Peruvian fans frantically celebrated it.
But it was five minutes into the second half that the game's true hallmark occurred.
Paolo Guerrero found the ball after a deflection and buried it deep into the net.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Grítalo! Así fue el tanto de Paolo Guerrero que aumenta la ventaja de #PER sobre #AUS . Lo canta @sadovnik1965 pic.twitter.com/O9OAXEQd6h
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 26, 2018
Peruvian fans were seen crying on the stands in a moment that exuded catharsis.
#MundialTelemundo ¡Alegría total! Así celebró la afición de #PER el tanto de Paolo Guerrero ante #AUS pic.twitter.com/qJdCix5LPW
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 26, 2018
The moment was also a well deserved price for the historic Peruvian striker, who may yet have to endure the rest of his ban once Peru's participation in the World Cup comes to an end.
Moreover, the match ended with a score of 2-0, leaving Peru in the third spot of Group C with three points, traling after France that finished first with seven points and Denmark in second with five.
Thus the Paolo Guerrero goal punctuated Peru's pariticipation in this World Cup. They will be back.
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