Sao Paulo: Newcomer Luis Fabiano scored a pair of goals and goalkeeper Julio Cesar thwarted several chances to rally Brazil past Uruguay 2-1 and move it into a tie with Colombia for second place in South American World Cup qualifying.

Uruguay, which upset host Brazil 2-1 to win the 1950 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium, nearly worked its hex again, taking an early lead and dominating much of the match at Sao Paulo's Morumbi stadium. Fabiano scored just before half-time and added a second in the 64th minute to give Brazil eight points after four rounds.

Brazil, the South American champion, is tied for third in qualifying at eight points with Colombia, two behind Paraguay one behind Argentina. The top four teams qualify for the 2010 World Cup and the fifth-place nation goes to a play-off with the No 4 team from North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Very little went right for Brazil, which had not defeated Uruguay in eight years and played one of its worst games of the qualifiers. Coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw with Peru on Sunday, Brazil fielded a modified team with Sevilla striker Luiz Fabiano replacing Vagner Love and defender Alex starting for captain Lucio, who sat out a one-game suspension.

But Uruguay, which drew 2-2 with Chile on Sunday, surprised Brazil with an aggressive start and pinned the Brazilians in their own end.

Source : PTI