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2002 World Cup - Brazil 2 Paraguay 0

Aug 16, 2001

Brazil can think again about the World Cup finals next summer after this impressive win over Paraguay in Porto Alegre.

Recent problems - and four World Cup qualifying defeats for three coaches in the last year - have seen Brazil face an uncertain World Cup future. For Brazil to not be at the finals in Korea and Japan is "unthinkable" says Pele and the players must agree judging by this display typified by hard running and discipline.

It could provide the filip needed to revive Brazil's World Cup hopes as Paraguay are strong opposition and their final two matches are not too difficult to win.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side are now fourth and three points clear of fifth-placed Uruguay with four matches left.

Only the top four earn a place at next year's finals in Korea and Japan with Argentina assured of one place after their impressive 2-0 win in Ecuador last night.

Paraguay remain in second place behind Argentina and are definite contenders to reach the finals.

Scolari's team were not pretty but they worked hard and managed to shut down Paraguay afte they received a great start with a goal after four minutes.

Marcelinho was unmarked to head in a Juliano Belletti floated cross from the right and the 1-0 lead clearly helped Brazil's confidence.

This led to control of midfield by the home team but the Paraguayan defence proved resilient and Marcelinho had two long range efforts that came close as the half progressed.

Marcelinho then forced the best save of the second half from Jose Luis Chilavert as he tipped a cross shot over the bar as it headed for the roof of the net but Rivaldo sealed the win with a header as he dipped at the far post to meet a 70th minute cross from the left after good work from Denilson

Source: WSN

OTHER MATCHES - AUG 15, 2001

Slovakia 3 Iran 4

Hungary 2 Germany 5

Austria 1 Switzerland 2

France 1 Denmark 0

Slovenia 2 Romania 2

Iceland 1 Poland 1

England 0 Holland 2

Republic of Ireland 2 Croatia 2

Sweden 3 South Africa 0

Norway 1 Turkey 1

Russia 0 Greece 0

Bulgaria 1 FYR Macedonia 0

Czech Republic 5 South Korea 0

Finland 4 Belgium 1

Latvia 0 Ukraine 1

Russia 0 Greece 0

 Produtos do Copa!