Paraguay streak on as Argentina lose ground

Paraguay streaked six points clear in the South American World Cup qualifying standings with a goal claimed by both Edgar Benitez and Oscar Cardozo nine minutes from time enough to edge Peru 1-0 at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco.

Benitez got the crucial touch with his left foot for a strike which sent the crowd into raptures as Paraguay moved onto 23 points from 10 games – six clear of an inconsistent Brazil, who could only draw 0-0 at home to Colombia in Rio.

But even Brazil were on form compared with a lacklustre Argentina, who went down to a first-half goal from debutant midfielder Fabian Orellana which brought Chile a 1-0 win that leaves them level on points with the Argentines – one behind the Brazilians.

It was Chile's first ever qualifying success over the 'albiceleste' and first of any description since 1973.

Paraguay's 'Guaranies' have won five home games on the trot and coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino said he was happy to have three more points on the board, particularly after a laboured performance on the night.

“The team did not play well – we were rather nervous – but we have three points worth their weight in gold. This is another step along the road. But we have not qualified yet,” said Martino.

Benitez, nicknamed the Parrot, said he did not care if Cardozo felt he had a claim on the goal.

“The goal is what matters, not who scored it. I got to (the ball) and he (Cardozo) clipped my foot. It doesn't matter who got it. I am lucky – the ball always falls to me.”

Brazilian referee Salvio Fagundes ultimately decided to chalk the goal up to Benitez, who was making a debut appearance from the bench.

“I have always dreamed of wearing the national shirt – thank God it went off well,” Benitez enthused.

As the Paraguayans celebrated, Argentina found themselves looking in vain for inspiration from talisman Leo Messi, going down in Santiago to Marcelo Bielsa's Chile.

Alfio Basile's visitors succumbed after Gary Medel set up Orellana's solitary strike ten minutes before the break and but for wayward finishing the margin could have been greater.

“They were better than us in all respects. They chased down every ball – it was like 15 against ten,” Basile admitted afterwards.

“This was an important win – but we have to carry on like this if we are to reach South Africa,” said Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo.

Marring the win, Chilean forward Mark Gonzalez had to be taken to hospital following a clash of heads with Argentine defender Nicolas Burdisso which left the former Liverpool man unconscious.

Medical staff said he was in a satisfactory condition.

Brazil boss Dunga said his side had come up against a determined side in Colombia as he struggled to impress his critics following a goalless draw which follwed a canter in Venezuela.

“They made it very tough for us, closing things down. Before, it used to be hard to win, now we have to get back to winning the home games,” said Dunga as he shrugged off chants of 'bye bye Dunga' from some frustrated fans fed up that the likes of Kaka and Robinho had failed to unlock the visitors' defence.

“I'm not the first to have been booed. People need to keep things in perspective – anyone would think we were last in the group,” reflected Dunga, who won the World Cup as a player in 1994 and who took over as coach two years ago from Carlos Parreira despite a lack of experience even at club level.

“We have to keep plugging away,” he said following a match of few highlights.

Elsewhere, Venezuela came from behind to beat Ecuador 3-1 in Puerto La Cruz to edge back above Bolivia, who threw away a two-goal lead on Tuesday in La Paz against a Uruguay side which clung onto fifth spot on the table, a point ahead of Ecuador.

The side that places fifth will earn a home-and-away playoff with the fourth placed team from the North, Central America and Caribbean zone.