A makeshift and inexperienced Scotland side were beaten but not disgraced in their 2-0 loss to World Cup-bound Peru at the frenzied Estadio Nacional in Lima.
It was all going pretty well for Alex McLeish’s men until the 37th minute when Christian Cueva scored from the spot after defender Scott McKenna had handled in the penalty area.
Lokomotiv Moscow’s Jefferson Farfan made it 2-0 from close range in the 47th minute with Millwall keeper Jordan Archer, one of four starting debutants, looking culpable again after his misjudgement had led to the earlier penalty.
Peru are on the way to the World Cup for the first time in 36 years and in front of 40,000 exuberant home fans Ricardo Gareca’s side, ranked 11th in the world, threatened to impose more damage.
However, the Scots steadied themselves and looked solid enough while ending the night with seven new faces having made their first appearances for the national team.
It was always going to be difficult for McLeish to shape a team capable of giving the South Americans a real test.
After six call-offs to a squad which was already without a clutch of regulars, the former Scotland defender had nine uncapped players, including all three keepers, with Archer selected for the first time.
Kilmarnock right-back Stephen O’Donnell and Hibernian duo, Lewis Stevenson and Dylan McGeouch, were included in a side captained by Blackburn Rovers skipper Charlie Mulgrew who, in winning his 35th cap, was the most experienced player in the team.