Radamel Falcao admits players knew other scores but denies Colombia and Peru made ‘pact’ in World Cup qualifier
RADAMEL FALCAO has admitted that he knew the score in the other matches as Colombia and Peru played out a World Cup qualifying draw.
The Monaco striker denied accusations he tried to strike a deal with Peru players to see out a draw and both sides fought to the bitter end.
South American media has branded the incident the "Lima Pact" but there is little evidence Falcao, 31, did anything dishonest.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United forward was seen talking to opposing players while holding his hand over his mouth in the Estadio Nacional.
Falcao said: "We knew what was happening in the other matches, we were playing with [knowledge of] other results and in that moment [I tried] to transmit that.
"But I think Peru has been a worthy rival, they fought for 90 minutes just like us.
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"The match was very tight, we suffered a lot but in the end we did it."
Not that the draw would have suited Peru, if they had won they would have gone through to the World Cup automatically.
But now they face New Zealand in a tricky two-legged intercontinental play-off in a bid to make it to Russia.
Yet had Peru lost, that would have seen Chile sneak into the play-off - with the final result incredibly close.
Peru ended up with a goal difference of +1 and Chile -1 as Ricardo Gareca's team march on.
Former Newcastle winger Nolberto Solano said: "We needed to win, them too. What pact? That's speculation.
"Obviously in the end, we knew what the other results were and you tell yourself, 'calm down a bit, we mustn't take any risks."
