Brazil ease World Cup worries

Denilson's trickery helped set up Rivaldo's decisive goal

Brazil eased their World Cup woes with a 2-0 victory over Paraguay in the South America zone qualifiers on Wednesday.

A goal from Hertha Berlin forward Marcelinho Paraiba set the home team on their way after only four minutes.

And Barcelona star Rivaldo netted in the second half to seal crucial qualification points in Porto Allegre.

The win edges Brazil closer to clinching an automatic berth for the 2002 World Cup.

Veron: On target in Ecuador

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side now lie fourth in the overall table, three points clear of fifth-placed Uruguay with four matches remaining.

Only the top four finishers in the competition are assured of a place at next year's finals in South Korea and Japan.

Brazil could not have hoped for a better start against the high-flying Paraguayans and opening the scoring soon after kick-off.

Sao Paulo fullback Juliano Belletti darted down the right flank and floated a precise cross in for a completely unmarked Marcelinho to head home.

Despite scoring the early goal and enjoying near-total domination in midfield, Brazil struggled to carve out clear openings against a well-drilled Paraguayan defence.

And Paraguay, who started the second half brightly, were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Rivaldo appeared to handle as he leapt to clear a corner.

Argentina advance

Brazil soon asserted themselves however and Rivaldo turned hero again after some good work by Real Betis' Denilson down the left.

His pinpoint cross found the Barcelona marksman's head, doubling the lead and making safe the valuable points.

There was more good news for arch rival, Argentina, meanwhile.

First half goals from Juan Sebastian Veron and Hernan Crespo, gave the qualifying group leaders a 2-0 away win in Ecuador.

Argentina are now certain to be at the 2002 World Cup as they can no longer finish outside the top four automatic qualification spots.