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First-time win Paraguay takes it to Brazil in World Cup qualifying
ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) -- Carlos Paredes and Jorge Campos each scored as Paraguay stunned Brazil with a 2-1 win in the fifth round of World Cup qualifying play in Latin America. It marked the first time Paraguay defeated Brazil in qualifying matches for the World Cup. For Brazil, the loss was the latest in a string of disappointing showings in this year's qualifiers. Again Brazil's coach, Wanderley Luxemburgo, tinkered with his lineup, and again it proved ineffective. The Paraguayans began the match aggressively, taking advantage of Brazil's sluggish start and testing goalkeeper Dida early with two narrow misses. A header by Carlos Paredes put Paraguay up six minutes into the match. With more than 40,000 fans crowding Asuncion's Defensores del Chaco stadium, Paredes and strikers Denis Caniza and Roque Santa Cruz pestered the Brazilian defense, which looked uncharacteristically out of synch. Brazil lost captain Cafu in the 34th minute after he was sent off for a hard foul against Paredes. He will sit out Brazil's next match against Argentina. Looking for some offensive punch, Luxemburgo subbed Guilerm for Franca in the second half. But it was Rivaldo, who equalized in the 74th minute, which gave the Brazilians some breathing room. Paraguay settled into defensive mode, bracing for a Brazilian onslaught. It didn't help that they found themselves reduced to 10 men after Victor Quintana was sent off in the 78th minute. In the end, Paraguay won the match by mounting an attack of its own. Taking in a long pass from Paraguay's goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, Jorge Campos shook two Brazilian defenders and beat goalie Dida in the 84th minute. Brazil's loss -- only its second in World Cup qualifying play -- leaves Argentina alone at the top of the standings. The two soccer powerhouses will meet next week. Uruguay 3, Venezuela 1At Montevideo, Uruguay, Nicolas Olivera scored two goals to lead Uruguay. Uruguay continued the momentum built by a win over Chile and a tie with Brazil. Venezuela's Daniel Noriega scored on the team's first threatening attack, in the 23rd minute. Olivera responded seven minutes later. At the 53-minute mark, Dario Rodriguez, attacking up the left side, headed in a precision pass from Alvaro Recoba. Olivera scored again in injury time, in the 92nd minute.
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