BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Brazil went top of the  South American World Cup qualifying group with an astonishing  4-0 win in Uruguay on Saturday as previous leaders Paraguay  slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Chile.

Bolivia, 6-1 winners at home to Argentina in La Paz two  months ago, were brought back to earth with a bump as they lost  1-0 to a youthful Venezuela team in the same stadium at 3,600  metres above sea level.

Argentina, meanwhile, were relieved to run out 1-0 winners  at home to Colombia and put their campaign back on track.
Saturday’s results left Brazil, Paraguay, Chile and  Argentina as clear favourites to claim the four direct places  at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The fifth-placed team faces the fourth side from CONCACAF  in a two-leg play off.
With five matches each to play, Brazil lead the 10-team  group with 24 points, ahead of Paraguay on goal difference. The  two sides meet in Recife on Wednesday.

Chile are one point behind in third place with Argentina a  further point adrift in fourth. Fifth-placed Uruguay are five  points behind Diego Maradona’s team on 17 and only one ahead of  Venezuela, who they visit in Puerto Ordaz on Wednesday.

Colombia, eighth with 14, still have an outside hope but  Bolivia, ninth with 12, appear to be out of contention.