Advantage Uruguay after 1-0 win in Costa Rica

Uruguay took a big step towards reaching the 2010 World Cup finals with a 1-0 win away to Costa Rica in the first leg of their qualifying play-off.

A 22nd-minute goal from defender Diego Lugano secured the win for Uruguay, who finished fifth in South American qualifying and had to play-off with Costa Rica from the CONCACAF region.

Costa Rica's task of turning the game around was made harder after Randall Azofeifa was sent off in the 53rd minute for a second yellow card.

The result gives two-times World Cup winners Uruguay a strong advantage going into Wednesday's second leg in Montevideo.

Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez admitted after the game that his side were far from their best.

"This result is very important," he said. "Winning away is not easy. We have passed a very difficult test.

"The 1-0 score is excellent, but we are unhappy with our form. Costa Rica's most dangerous spell was when they were playing with ten men and we made a mistake by playing too defensively."