Brazil show off before the showdown

Defender Lucio spoiled the day for the world champions when he was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 79th minute.

Brazil, second in the 10-nation South American World Cup qualifying group with 27 points from 14 games, moved within one point of leaders Argentina, whom they meet in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

Paraguay stayed fourth with 19 points and their defeat was good news for Colombia, Uruguay and Chile, who are all two points behind them.

The top four teams go straight to the Germany finals next year and the fifth play off over two legs against the Oceania regions winners for another place. Ecuador are in third place.

Togo, Angola aim for WC 06

Angola and Togo find themselves in unfamiliar territory this week, making a serious challenge for a place in next year’s World Cup finals for the first time with only three rounds of the African qualifiers remaining.

Togo’s controversial 4-1 win over Zambia in Lome on Sunday moved them into a two-point lead in Group One while Angola have joined favourites Nigeria at the top of Group Four. Angola, mired in a civil war 10 years ago, also have high hopes after they beat Algeria 2-1 at home in Luanda on Sunday. (Reuters)