Uruguay are again blocking Australia's way to the World Cup finals after beating Argentina 1-0 on Wednesday to clinch the playoff spot in the South American qualifying group.

Ronaldo scored his first Brazil goal in over a year to help the world champions beat Venezuela 3-0 and elevate Argentina to top place in the 10-nation group, while Colombia missed out despite beating Paraguay 1-0 in Asuncion.

Alvaro Recoba struck at the start of the second half to set off wild celebrations at Montevideo's historic Centenario stadium, where Australia's attempt to reach the 2002 World Cup ended in a 3-0 defeat four years ago.

This time, Uruguay, who won 3-1 on aggregate, will play at home first on November 12 with the return in Sydney four days later.

The playoff place was the only issue to be settled on Wednesday as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay had already clinched the four direct spots, just as they did four years ago.

Colombia and Chile had started one point behind Uruguay, hoping that Argentina would open the way for them by taking at least a point in Montevideo.

The games went ahead amid an atmosphere of mutual suspicion following events in the final round last year, when the same fixtures were played.

On that occasion, Uruguay qualified for the playoff spot courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Argentina, which critics said was surprisingly uncompetitive.

Full-blooded derby

This time, the two sides produced a full-blooded River Plate derby, which Uruguay coach Jorge Fossati appeared determined to get involved in.

In the second half, Fossati tried to join in as police grappled with a fan, who ran onto the pitch and then became involved in an altercation with Argentina's Juan Pablo Sorin on the touchline.

When the final whistle went, Fossati, who spent two nights in hospital in August after complaining of chest pains, ran onto the pitch and was a picture of joy and relief.

The winner came when Recoba cleverly flicked Diego Forlan's header past Roberto Abbondanzieri in the 47th minute to convert one of the few chances of the match.

Until then, Argentina had appeared to be in control.

"Uruguay must be at the World Cup and our dream of getting there is still alive," Recoba said.

The Uruguayans finished with 25 points from 18 games, one ahead of Colombia who ended Paraguay's unbeaten home record with a seventh minute header from Luis Gabriel Rey.

"If we had done better at home, we wouldn't have been in such an anxious, agonizing situation," said coach Reinaldo Rueda, whose team won only four home matches and missed out on their second World Cup in a row.

Chile bowed out with a goalless draw at home to Ecuador in Santiago and finished seventh with 22 points.

"We played badly," said coach Nelson Acosta, who replaced Juvenal Olmos halfway through the campaign.

Brazil and Argentina finished level on 34 points and identical head-to-head records, but the world champions won on goal difference after strikes from Adriano, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.

"It's always nice to finish ahead of Argentina," captain Cafu said.

Ronaldo's last goal was against the same opponents on October 9 last year. Despite the drought, he still finished as the group's top scorer with 10 goals.

Source: China Daily