Brazil leaps atop World Cup qualifying table

Brazil leaped to the top of the South American qualifying table for the 2010 World Cup with a 4-0 rout of host Uruguay while former leader Paraguay fell 2-0 at home to Chile.

Brazil won at Centenario stadium for the first time since 1976 on goals by FC Barcelona star Dani Alves in the 11th minute, AS Roma cenral defender Juan in the 35th, Sevilla’s Luis Fabiano in the 52nd and AC Milan star Kaka on a penalty kick in the 74th minute.

Goals by Matias Fernandez in the 12th minute and Humberto Suazo in the 50th gave the Chilean a critical away triumph that put them only one point off the pace of Brazil and Paraguay, which now trails on goal difference.

Together with Argentina’s 1-0 triumph over Colombia at Buenos Aires, the four top teams have separated themselves with five matches remaining to decide the four squads which will qualify for the showdown in South Africa.

Brazil (6-1 with six drawn) stand on 24 points, moving atop Paraguay (7-3-3) by virtue of superior goal difference, with Chile (7-4-2) next on 23 points and Argentina (6-3-4) fourth on 22.

The Uruguayans are fifth, five points back of Argentina but only one ahead of Venezuela and just three atop Colombia and Ecuador, which has a match in hand.

The leaders are not out of reach but even if they hold onto their spots, the remaining six teams have World Cup hope. South America’s fifth-place finisher will meet North America’s fourth-place team for another 2010 World Cup bid.

Uruguay knew extra heart-break from a fifth-place finish in 2005, losing out on a World Cup trip to Germany in a playoff against Australia.

Daniel Diaz’s goal in the 55th minute gave Argentina a crucial home victory, stretching the gap on lower rivals for coach Diego Maradona’s side and staying within reach of the top spot.

Bolivian heartache continued with a 1-0 home loss to Venezuela on an own goal in the 32nd minute.

Ecuador, level on 14 points with Colombia, will try to move up with an away victory Sunday at doormat Andean rivals Peru in Lima.