(CNN) -- Brazil need just three more points to clinch qualification for the 2010 World Cup after beating former South American Group leaders Paraguay on Wednesday, but Argentina's hopes suffered a big blow. Brazil's match-winner Nilmar, left, celebrates his goal with Elano and Daniel Alves, right. With four matches remaining, Brazil retained top spot with a 2-1 victory in Recife to lead second-placed Chile by a point, with Paraguay two further adrift on 24 and Argentina in fourth on 22. The top four teams automatically qualify for next year's finals in South Africa, while the fifth-placed nation -- Ecuador at this stage -- face a play-off against the fourth-placed side from the CONCACAF region. Mexico hold that spot following Wednesday's matches, following a morale-boosting 2-1 win against bottom nation Trinidad and Tobago.
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Brazil need three more points to seal their place at the 2010 World Cup finals
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Nilmar scores winner in 2-1 victory against Paraguay in Wednesday's qualifier
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Joint leaders Paraguay drop to third position after second consecutive defeat
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Diego Maradona suffers his second defeat in charge of fourth-placed Argentina
For @placeholder, who were four points clear at the top at the halfway stage, it was a second setback in a week after Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Chile.