Brazil breathe again after beating Chile 2-0

Brazil revived their chances of qualifying for next year's World Cup after struggling to a 2-0 win over Chile in a tense qualifier on Sunday.

Second-half goals from Edilson and Rivaldo gave the four- times champions three priceless points after they had struggled to break down a massed Chilean defence.

Brazil, in danger of losing their record as the only country to have played at every World Cup, remained in fourth place in the South American group with 27 points. The top four teams qualify and the fifth play off against Oceania winners Australia.

The Brazilians were given a helping hand when Uruguay, level on points with them at the start of the day, drew 1-1 at home against Colombia.

They have two games left, away to Bolivia at high altitude in La Paz and at home to modest Venezuela.

Brazil came to life after winger Denilson came on as a halftime substitute. Edilson opened the scoring eight minutes into the second half and Rivaldo added the second in the 67th minute.

Chile, already eliminated and with Jorge Garces making his debut as their third coach of the qualifying competition, stayed bottom of the group as they completed eight games without a win.

Fielding a young and experimental team, they seemed happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.

LACKING IDEAS

Brazil, once again disjointed and lacking ideas in midfield, were restricted to two long-range efforts from Rivaldo in the first half.

The first, from a free kick, was well saved by Chile goalkeeper Carlos Toro, making his international debut, and the second shaved Toro's left post.

Earlier, Roberto Carlos tested the Chile goalkeeper with a low free kick but the Real Madrid player otherwise had a wretched first half as he failed to produce a single decent cross.

Marcelo Salas wasted Chile's best chance when he miscued after being left alone in the penalty area by a sleepy Brazil defence.

Brazil finally broke through when Vampeta found Edilson with a diagonal pass through the midfield, the Flamengo player slipped past Jorge Vargas and placed the ball under Toro.

The second goal came when Cafu crossed from the right and Rivaldo scored an opportunist goal, sticking out a foot to divert the ball past Toro.