Lima  – Ecuador obtained an important 2-1 win over Peru on Sunday in Lima to keep up their hopes of playing the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ecuador clearly played better than Peru, currently the last of ten teams in the South American World Cup qualifiers table.

Jefferson Montero opened the score for Ecuador in the 37th minute. Juan Vargas restored the draw in the 51st minute from a free kick, but a header from Carlos Tenorio again put Ecuador ahead seven minutes later, this time for good.

The win lifts Ecuador up to sixth place in the table, with 17 points from 13 games.

If the qualifiers were to finish now, Uruguay, who also have 17 points – but with a better goal difference, would currently be qualifying for a play-off with a team from North, Central America and the Caribbean. The winner of that tie would get a place in the World Cup. (dpa)