Peru so nearly snatched a win in their Copa America quarterfinal right at the end. Colombia were rattled and frustrated when Christian Ramos met a corner from the right with a header that forced a fine save from Colombia keeper David Ospina.

 

The absence of extra time in these games favours the weaker side, the one less inclined to take the initiative, and the clock had been ticking down, with Colombia looking less and less likely to break the deadlock. Then came Ramos' chance -- clawed away by the Arsenal stopper.

 

The save gave Peru a corner on the other flank, the left. Could they grab a win right at the death? Up stepped Cristian Cueva to take the corner.

 

Peru's little playmaker had been given a heavy responsibility in this tournament. With Peru making a poor start to World Cup qualification, coach Ricardo Gareca chose to leave out some of his more experienced players. Cueva was handed the No. 10 shirt but got off to a slow start -- his performance against Haiti in the first game was not impressive -- before he found his form against Ecuador and came up with some splendid moments against Brazil.

 

Cueva, then, was a symbol of the success that Peru were enjoying in the tournament. Indeed, Colombia even paid him the complement of bringing in defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez with the specific aim of closing him down. In the 2011 Copa, Sanchez had marked Lionel Messi out of the game in Argentina; in last year's Copa his dominance over Neymar provided the platform for Colombia's 1-0 win over Brazil. This time he largely prevented Cueva from imposing himself on Peru's rare attacking breaks, but the stoppage time corner kick offered the little Peruvian a chance of revenge.

 

Yet he wasted it. When the game called for a delivery that could be attacked in the air by Peru's big men, he tried a sneaky low effort which curled straight into the side netting.

 

The whistle blew, and on to penalties. A few minutes later, after Miguel Trauco had seen his saved by Ospina and Colombia had scored all theirs, Cueva came forward to take Peru's fourth penalty. He had to hit the net to keep his team alive but his approach and demeanour inspired little confidence. So it was no surprise when he missed the target altogether, sending his kick over the bar to spark relieved Colombian celebrations as he sank to the turf in tears.

 

Is it too cruel to single out Cueva as a symbol of something else? Yes, he is representative of a team which over-performed in this competition, but does he also embody a lack of mental strength which has so bedevilled the Peru national team in recent times? Their last away win in World Cup qualification is an extraordinary 12 years ago. Most often when greeted with a hostile environment they have folded with alarming ease.

 

Not yet 25, Cueva has plenty of time to show that he is made of stronger stuff. And, eliminated without losing a game in normal time, Peru can look back on this competition with far more pleasure than disappointment.

 

Pedro Gallese has emerged as a lithe, athletic goalkeeper of genuine quality; centre back Cristian Ramos has played the best football of his career; dynamic midfielder Oscar Vilchez has emerged as an interesting late bloomer; left winger Edison Flores has had his moments. There could be the nucleus of a good team in there. But Peru have learned the hard way that it can be premature to base optimistic long-term conclusions on the events of the Copa America.

 

They came third in Argentina four years ago, leading to hopes that they might launch a viable challenge to make it to their first World Cup since 1982. In the end, they were well off the pace and they finished third in the Copa again last year, only to be slow off the blocks once again when the 2018 qualifying campaign began.

 

The true success in this year's Copa, then, can only be judged in the long-term. The years will reveal whether the experience gained in the United States will help the likes of Cueva to find their best form at the moments when it matters most.