Crespo the ace as Argentina go through

ARGENTINIAN striker Hernan Crespo scored two goals to inspire Argentina to a 3-1 victory over bitter rivals Brazil and guarantee them a place in the 2006 World Cup finals.

Defeat leaves Brazil - who have not won in Buenos Aires for nearly a decade - needing three points from their last three matches to guarantee a place in Germany, but will be relieved that with only two away victories in the campaign, just one of those games is away.

The hosts blew the reigning world champions away in the first-half, taking a 3-0 lead into the break, with Juan Riquelme’s goal sandwiched by Crespo’s double, sending the 60,000 crowd into raptures.