<P> Peru were invited to the first FIFA World Cup in Uruguay in 1930 . They lost both of their games and finished 10th out of 13 teams . The team either withdrew or did not enter the next four tournaments, in 1934, 1938, 1950, and 1954 . Peru participated but did not qualify in 1958, 1962, or 1966 . </P> <P> Peru had its best result in Mexico 1970, finishing in seventh place . Peru again finished in the top eight at the World Cup in Argentina 1978 . They finished first in their group during the first round of the tournament, but were eliminated after losing all their games in the second round . Peru reached the next World Cup finals in Spain 1982, although the team was eliminated in the first round after 2 draws and 1 loss . From 1986 to 2014, Peru did not advance past the CONMEBOL qualifying round . </P> <P> After finishing fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying, Peru reached the 2018 finals by defeating New Zealand in an intercontinental play - off . </P> <P> As one of the 13 national sides that accepted the invitation to the inaugural World Cup, Peru was placed in Group 3 with Romania and hosts Uruguay . With a mere 300 spectators, Peru's match against Romania holds the record of lowest attendance in a World Cup game . Peru lost (1--3) in a violent game where, in the second half, a fight broke out and a Peruvian became the first player sent off in a World Cup . A few days later, Peru and Uruguay played the inaugural match in the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo . The Peruvians were lauded by the spectators for their defense and the impressive ability of forward José María Lavalle . Peru lost (0 - 1) to the eventual champions, who defeated their subsequent opponents by scoring at least 4 goals per game . </P>

When was the last time peru was at the world cup