Paraguay beat Bolivia 1-0 to edge closer to World Cup

ASUNCION, Sept 6 (Reuters) - A Salvador Cabanas penalty gave Paraguay a 1-0 win over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, putting the home side on the verge of reaching a fourth finals in a row.

Striker Cabanas converted the penalty just before halftime after defender Carlos Bonet was brought down.

Paraguay, who ended a run of four qualifiers without victory this year, joined second-placed Chile on 27 points in the South American group but trail on goal difference.

With three matches remaining, Paraguay are three points behind leaders Brazil, who have qualified, and five in front of Argentina, who they meet at home on Wednesday.

The top four will advance to the 2010 finals in South Africa while the team finishing fifth will go into a two-legged playoff against the fourth-placed CONCACAF team.

A victory against Argentina will ensure Paraguay reach their fourth consecutive World Cup while seriously compromising the chances of Diego Maradona’s team. (Reporting by Mariel Cristaldo; Writing by Rex Gowar; Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)