Brazil held by Argentina as Paraguay slip up

Arch-rivals Brazil and Argentina drew 0-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday but moved closer to leaders Paraguay who lost 4-2 in Bolivia.

Ecuador and Colombia also played out a goalless draw in Quito, leaving the Colombians as the only unbeaten team after six matches in the 10-team group.

Brazil coach Dunga, whose side lost 2-0 in Paraguay on Sunday, was jeered and insulted by a 52,000 crowd at Belo Horizonte's Mineirao stadium as Argentina dominated the second half.

Venezuela were playing Chile in Puerto La Cruz last night. The top four teams qualify directly for South Africa in 2010 and the fifth plays off against the fourth team from the CONCACAF region.

Dunga, whose team were again disorganised in midfield, said it was too early to contemplate the possibility of Brazil missing out on a World Cup for the first time.

"The qualifiers don't finish today," he said. "There are another 12 rounds of games to go."

Brazil edged the first half, Julio Baptista forcing an outstanding close-range save from Roberto Abbondanzieri.

But Argentina, beaten by three-goal margins in their last three meetings with Brazil, dominated the second. Julio Cruz and substitute Sergio Aguero missed excellent chances while Lionel Messi was foiled by Julio Cesar and fired wide from the rebound in stoppage-time.

Paraguay, facing high altitude and a shocking pitch in La Paz, finally came unstuck as they lost for the first time in the group against a team who started the day in last place.

Joaquin Botero and Ronald Garcia put Bolivia 2-0 up in 25 minutes.

In the second half, Botero and Marcelo Martins were on target for the hosts while Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Haedo Valdez replied for Paraguay.