A header from Sebastian Eguren was on target in the 14th minute to give Uruguay - the winner of two editions of the World Cup, though both more than 50 years ago - a crucial away win in its effort to return to the main event in the sport after missing Germany 2006.

This result makes the South American qualifiers strikingly tight. After seven rounds of play, Paraguay leads with 14 points, followed by Argentina on 12 and Uruguay on 11. Colombia and Chile have 10 points, although Chile have a game in hand, against Brazil Sunday. Global football giant Brazil, in turn, is sixth on 9 points.

Earlier Saturday, Argentina and Paraguay drew 1-1 in Buenos Aires and Ecuador beat lowly Bolivia 3-1 in Quito.

Peru-Venezuela was set to close a busy day later Saturday, with Chile hosting Brazil on Sunday in Santiago.

Next week, in the eighth round of play, Paraguay will host Venezuela on Tuesday, while Wednesday is set to feature the following games: Uruguay-Ecuador, Chile-Colombia, Brazil-Bolivia and Peru- Argentina.

In South America's 10-team World Cup qualifiers, each side plays at home and away with each of the other nine. The top four win a place in the World Cup, with the fifth-place team facing a representative of the North, Central American and Caribbean region in a playoff.