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Brilliant Brazil reach South Africa (AFP) Sunday 6 September 2009

Five-time champions Brazil, inspired by Real Madrid superstar Kaka, qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
on Saturday thanks to a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Argentina.

The result maintained Brazil's proud record of never having missed a FIFA World Cup. It also piled more pressure onto
Argentina coach Diego Maradona whose team are clinging onto the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot from the
South American zone.

In a first-half played at a breathless pace, the tackles came thundering in and it was hardly surprising that Brazil's two opening
goals were the product of set pieces. Benfica skipper Luisao scored the first from an Elano free-kick in the 24th minute when the
defender was allowed a free header, which he buried in the corner past Mariano Andujar in the Argentine goal.

It was 2-0 just six minutes later after Kaka was brought down on the edge of the box. This time Elano's free-kick was blocked
by a defender but Kaka managed to set-up Gilberto Silva whose fierce drive was only parried by Andujar. Sevilla striker Luis
Fabiano pounced on the loose ball to score from six yards out.

Argentina had their moments with Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez always looking dangerous. It was Tevez who cleverly set-up
Maxi Rodriguez for the home side's best chance in the first half but Julio Cesar saved with his legs from point-blank range.

Argentina pulled a goal back in the 65th minute thanks to a 30-yard left foot drive from Jesus Datolo which soared past Julio
Cesar into the top corner. However, Brazil were 3-1 ahead within two minutes when Kaka played a wonderfully-weighted
pass into the path of Fabiano who sprinted around Nicolas Otamendi before chipping the ball over Andujar for his second
goal of the tie.

Tight contests

Earlier, Brazil's chances of wrapping up qualification had been boosted when Colombia defeated Ecuador 2-0 in Bogota while
Uruguay slumped to a 1-0 loss in Lima to bottom side Peru. Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez scored for Colombia in the
last ten minutes while Hernan Rengifo claimed Peru's winner four minutes from time to register just his team's second win in 15
qualifiers.

Colombia, who moved into fifth place in the table, just outside the four automatic qualifying places, had their celebrations cut
short when central defender Fabian Vargas picked up a serious leg injury which will rule him out of Wednesday's game with
Uruguay.

Paraguay, meanwhile, boosted their hopes of qualifying with a 1-0 win over Bolivia. Salvador Cabanas, with a penalty on the
stroke of half-time, gave Paraguay the three points which also ended Bolivia's slim hopes of qualifying for the finals.

Source: Fifa.com