Chile beats Peru 2-0

Santiago:

Matias Fernandez set up the first goal and scored one of his own to give Chile a 2-0 victory over Peru on Wednesday, leaving it in the middle of the table after two rounds of South American World Cup qualifying.

Humberto Suazo gave Chile the lead in the 11th minute, heading in a corner kick from Fernandez.

Fernandez added the insurance in the 51st, taking a ball from Arturo Vidal over the Peruvian defense and scored with a precise 3-meter, right-footed shot.

Chile was coming off a 2-0 loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, while Peru was held to a goalless draw at home by Paraguay.

Veteran striker Marcelo Salas had one of Chile's early chances, dribbling past defender Walter Vilchez and goalkeeper Leao Butron, but his weak shot was cleared off the line by Santiago Acasiete.

Chile had the early play, but Peru recovered by the 30th minute, beginning to control the midfield and launching dangerous attacks through Jefferson Farfan.

Farfan had two clear chances to score. First, his shot from 10 meters was saved by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. Then, Chilean defender Miguel Riffo blocked Farfan's shot almost in the mouth of the goal.

Chile recovered the control of the game in the final minutes, creating chances for Salas, Hugo Droguett and Suazo.

Peru managed to organize a couple of counterattacks but Chilean defenders had little trouble in neutralizing them.