A Salvador Cabanas penalty gave Paraguay a 1-0 win over Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier

on Saturday, putting the home side on the verge of reaching a

fourth finals in a row.

Striker Cabanas converted the penalty just before halftime

after defender Carlos Bonet was brought down.

Paraguay, who ended a run of four qualifiers without

victory this year, joined second-placed Chile on 27 points in

the South American group but trail on goal difference.

With three matches remaining, Paraguay are three points

behind leaders Brazil, who have qualified, and five in front of

Argentina, who they meet at home on Wednesday.

The top four will advance to the 2010 finals in South

Africa while the team finishing fifth will go into a two-legged

playoff against the fourth-placed CONCACAF team.

A victory against Argentina will ensure Paraguay reach

their fourth consecutive World Cup while seriously compromising

the chances of Diego Maradona's team.