Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas-Doimo) emerged victorious from a sprint for the line to win the fourth stage of the Tour of California.

Paraguay secured their place at next summer’s World Cup finals with a 1-0 win over Diego Maradona’s hapless Argentina tonight.

Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Salvador Cabanas enabled 10-man Paraguay to remain on top of the South American qualifying zone with a convincing victory over Brazil on Sunday.