Luis Fabiano scored two first-half goals as Brazil moved into second place in South American World Cup qualifying Wednesday with a commanding 3-0 win over Peru. Midfielder Felipe Melo scored the third for Brazil. Argentina was thumped 6-1 by Bolivia and a shattered coach Diego Maradona said that each goal was like a stab in his heart. Paraguay scored in injury-time to draw 1-1 in Ecuador and stay top of the South American group. “I suffered with them (the Argentine public),” Maradona told reporters, himself appearing short of breath. “Every Bolivia goal was a stab in my heart.” Argentina slipped to fourth in the 10-team group with 19 points from 12 games, the lowest of the positions in which it can finish and qualify directly for South Africa in 2010. Fifth place would mean a two-leg play off against the fourth side from the CONCACAF region. Paraguay has 24 points while Brazil is three behind but only eight points separate them from eighth-placed Venezuela. Sandwiched in between are Chile (20), Argentina, Uruguay (17) and Colombia and Ecuador (14). Chile managed to hold Uruguay to a goalless draw at home in Santiago despite having midfielder Mauricio Isla sent off in the 34th minute. Honduras beats Mexico Carlo Costly scored a goal in each half to lead Honduras to a 3-1 upset win over Mexico in CONCACAF World Cup qualifier in San Pedri Sula in Honduras Wednesday. With the win, Honduras leapfrogs Mexico from last place to third on the regional qualifying table with four points, one ahead of the Mexicans. The United States leads with seven points, while Costa Rica is second with six. Costly opened the scoring in the 17th minute after outmaneuvering defender Leobardo Lopez, and sealed the win in the 79th minute on a pass from Danilo Turcio. Carlos Pavon also scored for Honduras. Nery Castillo scored Mexico's only goal on a penalty in the 81st minute. Coach sacked Mexico coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was fired Thursday. “This morning we talked to Mr Eriksson and announced his departure,” Mexican Football Federation (FMF) president Justino Compean told a news conference. Eriksson took over in June from Hugo Sanchez, who was fired after 16 months in the job. Under Eriksson's leadership Mexico played five competitive away games, losing four and drawing one in Canada. Costa Rica wins In San Jose, Costa Rica, Walter Centeno scored the lone goal in Costa Rica's 1-0 win over El Salvador in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Wednesday. Centeno headed in a pass from Carlos Hernandez in the 69th minute to help Costa Rica retain second place on the regional qualifying table with six points, one behind leader the US. El Salvador shares last place with Trinidad and Tobago on two points.
