Football: Chile boost World Cup chances with win over Paraguay

ASUNCION (REUTERS) - Chile scored a 2-1 away win over Paraguay at the Defensores del Chaco on Friday to give their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign a boost.

The victory put Chile into fourth place on 18 points, two ahead of Venezuela, in the South American group, with 2010 World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay in sixth place on 13 points.

The top four teams qualify automatically for the 2014 finals in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will face an Asian side in a two-legged playoff for another spot in the tournament.

Striker Eduardo Vargas put the Chileans ahead with a shot from outside the box four minutes before halftime before midfielder Arturo Vidal, who had hit the post in the opening minute, doubled their lead in the 56th minute.

Striker Roque Santa Cruz pulled one back in the 88th minute for Paraguay, who are bottom of the group and have virtually no chance of qualifying for Brazil.

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