2002 World Cup qualifier - Uruguay 3 Venezuela 1

Ten man Uruguay put an early set back behind them against Venezuela to score three times in Montevideo and stay on course for the 2002 World Cup.

A fractious encounter saw Uruguay end the game on ten points from five matches and they are now two points clear of Brazil as they chase CONMEBOL leaders Argentina who host Ecuador tonight.

Venezuela took the lead against the run of play when a close range shot from Daniel Noriega after a cross from Gabriel Urdaneta but after Uruguay recovered their shape and composure they made the Venezuelans go completely onto the defensive.

Alvaro Recoba had seen a penalty saved in the 13th minute by goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci but Nicolas Olivera brought the sides level when he pulled down a cross and ripped a spectacular 30th minute volley into the net.

Recoba set up the second goal with a deep free kick that allowed Dario Rodriguez to head down and in on 53 minutes and Olivera claimed his second when he reached a 91st minute low cross by Washington Tais to turn the ball back into the net at the far post.

The only other notable incident when the home team lost Dario Silva to a red card after a late and high lunge felled Leopoldo Jimenez. The Venezuelan aimed a kick at his abuser in the 72nd minute and both players were ordered off in an ugly tussle.