BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Brazil went top of the South American World Cup qualifying group with an astonishing 4-0 win in Uruguay on Saturday as previous leaders Paraguay slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Chile.
Bolivia, 6-1 winners at home to Argentina in La Paz two months ago, were brought back to earth with a bump as they lost 1-0 to a youthful Venezuela team in the same stadium at 3,600 metres above sea level.
Argentina, meanwhile, were relieved to run out 1-0 winners at home to Colombia and put their campaign back on track.
Saturday’s results left Brazil, Paraguay, Chile and Argentina as clear favourites to claim the four direct places at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The fifth-placed team faces the fourth side from CONCACAF in a two-leg play off.
With five matches each to play, Brazil lead the 10-team group with 24 points, ahead of Paraguay on goal difference. The two sides meet in Recife on Wednesday.
Chile are one point behind in third place with Argentina a further point adrift in fourth. Fifth-placed Uruguay are five points behind Diego Maradona’s team on 17 and only one ahead of Venezuela, who they visit in Puerto Ordaz on Wednesday.
Colombia, eighth with 14, still have an outside hope but Bolivia, ninth with 12, appear to be out of contention.
