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Brazil booked their place at the 2010 World Cup with a comfortable victory which further dents Argentina's hopes of reaching the finals in South Africa.An unmarked Luisao met Elano's free-kick to head the visitors in front and Luis Fabiano tapped in from close range after Felipe Melo's shot was spilled.

Brazil keeper Cesar denied Maxi Rodriguez from close range before Jesus Datolo scored with a spectacular drive.

But Kaka released Fabiano, who dinked the ball home to seal his side's win.

The top four teams in the South American zone qualify automatically while the fifth placed team meets the fourth placed team from CONCACAF qualification in a two-legged play-off.

Brazil top their zone on 30 points, three points clear of second-placed Paraguay and 10 points above fifth-placed Columbia which, with three games remaining, means their place in South Africa is now guaranteed.

Argentina are hanging on to fourth place on 22 points, with Ecuador and Colombia two points adrift.

Diego Maradona's side benefited from Colombia's 2-0 victory over Ecuador on Saturday because had Ecuador won, it would have moved them ahead of Argentina.

Argentina face a daunting trip to Paraguay on Wednesday before hosting Peru on 10 October and travelling to seventh-placed Uruguay on 13 October.


Brazil host Chile on Wednesday and then finish with a double-header against Bolivia on and Venezuela.