Third-placed Ecuador drew 2-2 in Peru, helped by an astonishing late miss from Peruvian substitute Andres Mendoza, while Paraguay stayed fourth with a 2-1 win at home to Chile.

Argentina stayed top of the 10-nation group with a hard-fought 1-0 win over a defensive, 10-man Colombia in Buenos Aires and world champions Brazil drew 1-1 in Uruguay with the help of a controversial equaliser from Emerson.

The top four teams in the 10-nation group go straight to Germany and Argentina, leaders with 28 points, and Brazil, second with 24, are all but mathematically qualified.

Ecuador, with 20, are also very handily placed while Paraguay (19) have opened up a three-point gap between themselves and fifth-placed Uruguay.

The other five teams now appear to be fighting for fifth spot which earns a two-leg playoff against the Oceania region winners and the chance of another place.

Only three points separate Uruguay (16) from bottom-placed Bolivia (13). Colombia, Peru, Chile and Venezuela are sandwiched between, all on 14 points.

Ecuador, who bounced back from two goals down to hammer Paraguay 5-2 last Sunday, showed a similar quality in Lima.

Paolo Guerrero gave Peru a second minute lead but England-based Ulises de la Cruz headed Ecuador level within a minute and 19-year-old Antonio Valencia took advantage of shambolic defending to put Ecuador ahead in first-half injury time.

Dutch-based Jefferson Farfan equalised in the 58th minute and Peru had a golden chance to snatch three points in the 89th minute.

Ukrainian-based Mendoza forced his way past goalkeeper Edwin Villafuerte and found himself two metres in front of an open goal, only to miss his kick altogether as he tried to deftly flick it into the net.

Paraguay, attempting to reach their third successive World Cup, bounced back in Asuncion with goals by Gustavo Morinigo and Jose Cardozo, who took his tally in the competition to seven.

Defender Luis Fuentes pulled one back for Chile

Argentina struggled to break down a well-marshalled Colombia defence, Hernan Crespo finally making the breakthrough in the 65th minute as he swept home Luciano Galletti's low cross.

The visitors had midfielder Fabian Vargas sent off in the 41st minute as he picked up two yellow cards in eight minutes, both for hacking down Javier Saviola.

Instead of making life easier for Argentina, the dismissal merely mad the visitors defend even more doggedly.

Uruguay and Brazil produced a stirring match in Montevideo, Diego Forlan putting the hosts in front in the 49th minute and Emerson levelling in the 68th amid claims of offside.

Brazil, who have never beaten Uruguay away in a competitive match, dominated the closing stages.

"We could have won but we ended up with a draw because of a referee's mistake, and when they score that way, it hurts more," said Fossati.

After a scoreless first half, Uruguay went ahead when Forlan tapped in the rebound from inside the penalty area after Brazil goalie Dida had failed to hold on to a long-range drive from Marcelo Zalayeta the 48th minute.

The goal set more than 50,000 Uruguayan fans thundering in the stands, but triggered furious attacks as Brazil repeatedly moved within scoring range with a star-studded squad led by Ronaldhino.

Emerson tied it 20 minutes after the first goal. After a corner kick, Lucio headed the ball close to the Uruguayan goal and Emerson whirled and booted it in at a sharp angle.