History repeats itself, Uruguay take on Australia

Uruguay are again barring Australia's way to the World Cup finals after beating Argentina 1-0 on Wednesday night to clinch the play-off spot in the South American qualifying group.

Ronaldo scored his first Brazil goal for over a year to help the world champions beat Venezuela 3-0 and pip Argentina for top place in the 10-nation group, while Colombia missed out on the finals despite beating Paraguay 1-0 in Asuncion.

Alvaro Recoba struck at the start of the second half to set off wild celebrations at Montevideo's historic Centenario stadium, where Australia's attempt to reach the 2002 World Cup ended in a 3-0 defeat four years ago.

This time, Uruguay, who won 3-1 on aggregate, will play at home first on November 12 with the return in Sydney four days later.

The play-off place was the only issue to be settled on Wednesday as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay had already clinched the four direct spots, just as they did four years ago.

Colombia and Chile had started one point behind Uruguay, hoping that Argentina would open the way for them by taking at least a point in Montevideo.

The games went ahead amid an atmosphere of mutual suspicion following events in the final round in 2001, when the same fixtures were played.

On that occasion, Uruguay qualified for the play-off spot courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Argentina which critics said was surprisingly uncompetitive.

This time, the two sides produced a full-blooded River Plate derby which Uruguay coach Jorge Fossati appe-ared determined to get involved in.

In the second half, Fossati tried to join in as police grappled with a fan who ran onto the pitch and then became involved in an altercation with Argentina's Juan Pablo Sorin on the touchline.

When the final whistle went, Fossati, who spent two nights in hospital in August after complaining of chest pains, ran onto the pitch and was a picture of joy and relief.

The winner came when Recoba cleverly flicked Diego Forlan's header past Roberto Abbondanzieri in the 47th minute to convert one of the few chances of the match.

Until then, Argentina had appeared to be in control.

"Uruguay must be at the World Cup and our dream of getting there is still alive," Recoba said.

The Uruguayans finished with 25 points from 18 games, one ahead of Colombia who ended Paraguay's unbeaten home record with a seventh minute header from Luis Rey.

Chile bowed out with a goalless draw at home to Ecuador in Santiago and finished seventh with 22 points.

"We played badly," said coach Nelson Acosta, who replaced Juvenal Olmos halfway through the campaign.

Goal difference

Brazil and Argentina finished level on 34 points and identical head-to-head records but the world champions won on goal difference after strikes from Adriano, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.

"It's always nice to finish ahead of Argentina," captain Cafu said.

Ronaldo's last goal was against the same opponents on October 9 last year. Despite the drought, he still finished as the group's top scorer with 10 goals.

Peru avoided bottom spot after crushing Bolivia 4-1 in Tacna, helped by two goals from PSV Eindhoven striker Jefferson Farfan.

They finished ninth with 18 points, behind Venezuela on their head-to-head record.

Bolivia, who play their home matches at 3,600 metres above sea level in La Paz, lost all nine away games as they finished last with 14 points.