Mexico slumped to its fourth successive away defeat in World Cup qualifiers with a 2-1 reverse in El Salvador on Saturday, while the United States recovered to get its campaign back on track for South Africa. Midfielder Celso Borges scored twice as CONCACAF region leader Costa Rica backed up its win over the US on Wednesday with a 3-2 triumph at Trinidad & Tobago to stay top of the final stage standing as the marathon tournament nears its climax. Mexico dropped to fifth in the six-team group after Eliseo Quintanilla's late penalty left them on three points from four games, ruining coach Javier Aguirre's second debut with the side. The top three teams qualify directly for South Africa and the fourth plays off against the fifth South American team for an additional berth. Mexico has lost all three away games – against US, Honduras and El Salvador. Four of its remaining six games are at home but it has no more margins for error. The US edged to a nervy 2-1 victory over Honduras. The US stayed second with 10 points from five games while Honduras dropped to fourth with four from four. Borges scored twice in the second half as Costa Rica came from behind to beat the Soca Warriors. The Central Americans have 12 points while Trinidad is bottom with two. Honduras is fourth on four points. Brazil on top Brazil went top of the South American World Cup qualifying group with an astonishing 4-0 win in Uruguay on Saturday as previous leader Paraguay slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Chile. Bolivia, 6-1 winner at home to Argentina in La Paz two months ago, was brought back to earth with a bump as it lost 1-0 to Venezuela team in the same stadium. Argentina was relieved to run out 1-0 winner at home to Colombia and put its campaign back on track. Saturday's results left Brazil, Paraguay, Chile and Argentina as clear favorites to claim the four direct places at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The fifth-placed team faces the fourth side from CONCACAF in a two
