Ecuador's Cristian Noboa scored in the 89th minute to force a 1-1 draw with Brazil in a World Cup qualifier Sunday. Chile beat Peru 3-1 in another qualifying match in Lima, Peru, to jump past Brazil and into third place in the South America tournament. Brazil scored first via Julio Baptista on the only clear opportunity the Brazilians had in the second half. Baptista, who entered as a replacement for Ronaldinho, surprised Ecuador's Jose Francisco Cevallos with a low shot that got past the goalkeeper in the 72nd minute. Unable to take advantage of its dominant play throughout the game and the taxing altitude of the Andean capital, Ecuador salvaged a point with Noboa's late equalizer. It came on the rebound off a blocked shot by teammate Cristian Benitez. Five-time World Cup champion Brazil dropped from second in the South American tournament, overtaken by Argentina, which beat Venezuela 4-0 on Saturday and Chile. Ecuador is seventh in the 10-team tournament with 13 points. Brazil has 18. The Brazilians played without Kaka, who injured his foot playing for AC Milan this month. His spot was filled by Ronaldinho, his AC Milan teammate who has lost playing time at his club to David Beckham in recent months. Alexis Sanchez scored in the second minute while Humberto Suazo and Matias Fernandez added goals before and after half time to seal Chile's first victory against Peru – its classic rival – in Lima in 24 years. Peru, in last place in continental qualifying, had serious problems creating opportunities against the Chileans. The Peruvian's only goal came in the 33rd minute when forward John Fano beat the Chilean goalkeeper on a cross from Daniel Chavez. After Sanchez' early breakthrough, Chile maintained the aggression and buried Peru with goals by Suazo in the 31st minute and Fernandez in the 69th minute, the latter on an error by ‘keeper Leao Butron. Peru's star player Juan Vargas was sent off in the 52nd minute after receiving two yellow cards. Peru coach Guillermo del Solar said in a post-match interview that Vargas' expulsion was the “breaking point” for his squad. Peru was down 2-1 at the time.Vargas won't play in Wednesday's match against Brazil. With the victory, Chile moved into third place with 19 points. Argentina also has 19 points after beating Venezuela 4-0 on Saturday but has a better goal differential. Paraguay leads the tournament with 23 points. Peru has only won one out of 11 matches, against Venezuela at home.
