Buenos Aires/Asuncion, Sep 6 (DPA) Brazil became Saturday the first South American side to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with a 3-1 away win over arch-rivals Argentina.

Paraguay and Chile are also very close to securing a place in the World Cup. As things stand, they need only three points at most from the three last rounds of qualifiers to formally get a place in South Africa.

In the region's very tight qualifiers, Brazil has 30 points from 15 rounds of play, to Paraguay's and Chile's 27. Troubled Argentina is fourth on 22 points, with Colombia and Ecuador on 20 and Uruguay and Venezuela on 18.

The first four teams will directly get a place in South Africa. The fifth-placed team will clash with a team from North or Central America or the Caribbean in a play-off, with the winner advancing to the World Cup.

Brazil were clearly the best team on the pitch as they beat Argentina 3-1 away in Rosario.

'Technical quality and the team that looked for the goal at all times prevailed,' Brazil coach Carlos Dunga said in a press conference after the game.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona was visibly disappointed.

'It's always ugly to lose to Brazil, even more so when we were very excited about being able to win this match and getting closer to the World Cup,' he said

'We defended high balls very badly, and we paid a high price,' Maradona noted. 'We lost clearly.'

Argentina started off well in Rosario. They had possession of the ball, although they enjoyed no clear chances. Only their superstar striker Lionel Messi got a shot on goal from a long-distance effort, but he was off target.

In the 24th minute, however, Luisao made the most of Brazil's first chance. Amid poor defending from Argentina, he headed the ball alone off an Elano free kick, and found the net.

Only six minutes later, Argentine keeper Mariano Andujar blocked a shot from Maicon, but man-of-the-match Luis Fabiano took the rebound and made things 2-0.

Brazil had everything under control from then on, at least until midfielder Jesus Datolo put the hosts back in the game with a great long-range shot.