The win hoists Chile into second place overall in the 10-team zonal league with 10 points from six games, one point behind leaders Argentina, who take on arch-rivals Brazil on Wednesday.

In Tuesday's other games, Bolivia dented Paraguay's hopes with a 2-1 win in La Paz, while Uruguay slumped to a shock 3-1 home defeat against Peru which leaves them struggling to qualify for the finals in Germany.

The top four teams at the end of the league competition qualify for the finals, while the fifth placed team goes into a two-leg playoff against the winner of the Oceania Zone, likely to be either Australia or New Zealand.

Nolberto Solano and Claudio Pizarro gave Peru the best of possible starts in Montevideo scoring in the 14th and 19 minutes before Uruguay had defender Gonzalo Sorondo sent off in the 32nd minute.

Reduced to 10-men, Uruguay had a mountain to climb and they fell further behind when Jefferson Fanfan netted after 62 minutes.

Substitute Diego Forlan scored a consolation goal heading in a free-kick for the hosts after 71 minutes, but the Sky Blues were fortunate not concede more goals with Peru missing several gilt-edged chances.

The Peruvians are attempting to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1982 when Teofilio Cubillas was rated one of the best players in the world and the side rivalled Argentina and Brazil.

In La Paz, Bolivia coach Ramiro Blacut got off to a winning start with the 2-1 win over Paraguay which lifted his side off the bottom position in the league table.

Playing at an altitude of 3,600 metres and beaten 2-0 at home by Chile last month, Bolivia opened the scoring through veteran Luis Cristaldo after eight minutes, latching on to a rebound following a goalmouth scramble.

Paraguay hit back though and equalised after 32 minutes, Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Crux setting up Jose Cardozo who picked his spot coolly to score.

With Paraguay beginning to look tired in the thin air, the winner came after 71 minutes when substitute Roger Suarez headed home from Julio Baldivieso's free-kick.

Apart from the Argentina-Brazil showdown on Wednesday, the final game opposes Ecuador and Colombia in Quito.