ASUNCION, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Substitute Edgar Benitez struck late to give Paraguay, leaders of the South American World Cup qualifying group, a 1-0 win over bottom team Peru on Wednesday.

Benitez, called up to the squad last week as replacement

for the injured Roque Santa Cruz, scored from close-range in

the 82nd minute after a huge scramble in the Peruvian area.

The win guaranteed that Paraguay, who have won seven of

their 10 games, stayed top of the 10-team group with 23 points

and well on course for a fourth successive World Cup.

Peru, kept in the game by a series of saves from goalkeeper

Leao Butron, have seven points.

Peru took early control of the midfield and nearly went

ahead when Johan Fano's header was tipped over the crossbar by

Justo Villar in the 22nd minute.

Paraguay's best early chances came from free kicks on the

edge of the area and in the 28th minute Salvador Cabanas

deflected Barreto's effort towards goal but was thwarted by a

brilliant reflex save from Butron.

Butron produced two world-class saves in a minute as

Paraguay pressed after halftime, first turning away Victor

Caceres's powerful downward header and then blocking Nelson

Haedo Valdez's close-range bicycle kick.

Although Fano tested Villar with a low shot from 25 metres,

Peru were fading fast and a Paraguay goal looked only a matter

of time as they won a flurry of corners and free kicks around

the edge of the visitors' area.

It finally came after Peru failed to clear a corner.