Argentina defeat Peru 2-1 with a Palermo’s goal in the last seconds of the match

Martin Palemro scored three minutes into extra time to give Argentina a 2-1 victory over Peru in World Cup qualifying Saturday and keep alive Argentina’s hopes of reaching next year’s finals in South Africa.

Palermo scored from close-in on a scrambled play in the final seconds as a driving rain soaked the field at Monumental stadium.

Peru’s Hernan Rengifo levelled the match with about 20 seconds left in regulation time after Real Madrid Gonzalo Higuain put Argentina ahead in the 48th.

The Argentine team will face off against Uruguay this week, who defeated Ecuador and now ranks fifth. With 25 points, Argentina needs to win against Uruguay in order to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Line up:

Argentina: Sergio Romero; Jonás Gutiérrez, Rolando Schiavi, Gabriel Heinze, Emiliano Insúa; Enzo Pérez, Javier Mascherano, Angel Di María; Pablo Aimar; Lionel Messi y Gonzalo Higuaín. DT: Diego Maradona.

Perú: Leao Butrón; Amilton Prado, Carlos Zambrano, Walter Vilchez, Alberto Rodríguez; Nolberto Solano, Rainer Torres, Roberto Palacios, Juan Vargas; Luis Ramírez; Johan Fano. DT: José Del Solar.