 Peru would also participate in the Copa América Centenario where Gareca led Peru to another outstanding performance, eliminating powerhouse Brazil in process, but lost to Colombia on penalty in the quarter-finals.From there, Peru would have an amazing performance in the later half of the 2018 World Cup qualification, with the team only lost to Chile away and Brazil at home, and managed to hold Argentina twice, before held Colombia 1–1 at home to reach the playoff with New Zealand, eliminating Chile though not without controversy.In the playoff, Peru overcame New Zealand 2–0 on aggregate, to finally qualify for the first ever FIFA World Cup after 36 years with Gareca accredited for the success, in an ironic way as Peru was eliminated by Gareca's goal back in 1985.