But it was Manchester City-bound Gabriel Jesus who stole the show with a match-winning display that further underlines his world-class potential.
The 19-year-old scored one and then turned provider for Renato Augusto, before being taken off with four minutes remaining. He now has five goals in six games for Brazil – a remarkable record for a teenager.
“I am working hard, quietly, hoping to help my team-mates on the pitch”’ he told TV Globo after the game.
“There are lot of players in Brazil who can wear the No 9 but I am proud that I have this opportunity. I am proud to be honouring the shirt.”
Jesus will join City in January after agreeing a switch from Palmeiras in the summer.
Match stats:
Peru (4-2-3-1): Gallese; Corzo (Advincula 79mins), Ramos, Rodriguez, Loyola; Aquino, Yotun; Polo (Sanchez 75), Cueva, Carrillo (Ruidiaz 62); Guerrero.
Unused subs: Alfageme, Araujo, Caceda, Carvallo, Cespedes, Pena, Sandoval, Santamaria.
Booked: Loyola, Cueva.
Brazil (4-3-3): Alisson; Alves, Marquinhos, Miranda, Luis; Paulinho, Fernandinho, Augusto; Coutinho (Costa 86), Jesus (Willian 83), Neymar.
Unused subs: Caio, Fagner, Giuliano, Firmino, Gil, Fabinho, Lucas, Muralha, Silva, Weverton.
Booked: Augusto.
Goals: Jesus 58, Augusto 79.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Otamendi starred in Argentina’s comfortable 3-0 win over Colombia. The City defender played the full 90 minutes and impressed as Argentina kept alive their hopes of qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a sensational free-kick that went in off the underside of the bar – and the Barcelona forward then assisted two, one for Lucas Pratto and another for Angel Di Maria, as Argentina ran riot.
They are now fifth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying group.
Argentina: Romero; Mercado, Otamendi, Funes Mori, Mas; Mascherano, Biglia; Di Maria (Acuna 85’), Banega (Perez 63’), Messi; Pratto (Higuain 79’)
Subs: Roncaglia, Rulli, Guzman, Pizarro, Demichelis, Correa, Zabaleta, Belluschi, Aguero.
Goals: Messi, Pratto, Di Maria
Booked: Funes Mori, Mercado, Banega, Pratto
Colombia: Ospina; Arias, Sanchez, Murillo, Balanta; Sanchez, Cuadrado, Torres (Copete 67’), Barrios (Torres 46’), Rodriguez; Falcao (Bacca 76’)
Subs: Cardona, Perez, Gonzalez, Muriel, Vargas, Medina, Borja, Diaz, Aguillar.
Booked: Alvarez, Arias, Rodriguez, Cuadrado
