Brazil sneak into top spot

Brazil crushed Venezuela 3-0 to finish top of the South American World Cup qualifying group.

The world champions finished level on 34 points with Argentina but pipped their arch rivals on goal difference.

Carlos Alberto Parreira’s team went ahead in the 28th minute when Adriano met Ronaldinho’s cross and beat goalkeeper Rafael Dudamel.

Brazil doubled the advantage early in the second half when Ronaldo dribbled around Dudamel after being put through by Adriano.

And, 10 minutes later, Roberto Carlos made it 3-0 with one of his trademark free-kicks.

Meanwhile, Uruguay clinched a play-off place against Australia when they beat Argentina 1-0 in their final game.

Alvaro Recoba scored the only goal of the game in the first minute of the second half when he took advantage of a mistake by Argentina goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

The victory saw Uruguay finish fifth in the group with 25 points, behind winners Brazil (34), Argentina (34), Paraguay (28) and Ecuador (28), who were the automatic qualifiers.

“Luckily we won it despite the great players Argentina have,” said Uruguay’s former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan.

“Maybe they had control in midfield but we took advantage of a defensive mistake and we scored.

“I’m happy with my performance, despite not scoring. Now we have to focus on Australia because we’re still two steps away from the World Cup, which is our dream.”

Colombia won 1-0 in Paraguay but missed out on a play-off place when Uruguay beat Argentina.

And Chile’s dream of Germany 2006 ended when they could only manage a goalless home draw against Ecuador in their final game.

Peru hammered Bolivia 4-1 at home in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.

In the CONCACAF region, Stern John scored twice to earn Trinidad & Tobago a play-off against Bahrain for a place in the finals.

The striker – on loan at Derby from Coventry – missed a penalty early on but scored in the 42nd and 61st minutes as Trinidad beat Mexico 2-1 in the final game of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group.

The defeat cost Mexico top spot in the group as they finished behind the USA on goal difference, but they are World Cup bound nevertheless.

Mexico went ahead in the 38th minute when Jaime Lozano netted after a fine cross from Luis Perez.

But four minutes later, the hosts were level when John was on target after Aurtis Whitley’s shot rebounded to him.

John hit the winner in the second half when Dwight Yorke created havoc in the Mexico defence.

Trinidad finished on 16 points to book their play-off place ahead of Guatemala, who beat Costa Rica 3-1.