SANTIAGO, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Paraguay produced a ruthless performance to beat Chile 3-0 away on Wednesday and go top of the South American World Cup qualifying group.

Striker Salvador Cabanas pounced on poor defending to put

Paraguay ahead midway through the first half before defender

Paulo da Silva scored with two headers, both from corners,

either side of halftime.

Paraguay lead the 10-team group with 10 points from four

games. Chile are stuck on four points.

Chile, backed by a 60,000 crowd and inspired by Matias

Fernandez in midfield, made a promising start as they pushed

Paraguay into their own half.

The hosts created several good chances and looked more

likely to score until Paraguay hit them on the break in the

24th minute.

Goalkeeper Justo Villar hoofed a long clearance upfield,

the ball bounced once, was headed on by Nelson Haedo Valdez

and, as the Chile defence hesitated, Cabanas pounced to open

the scoring.

Chile continued to enjoy more possession but Paraguay

produced the sucker punch when Da Silva headed in from a corner

in the third minute of first-half stoppage-time.

The Mexican-based defender struck again in the 57th minute,

rising above the defence to score with a header which Claudio

Bravo got a hand to but could not stop.

Cristian Riveros had a potential fourth Paraguay goal

harshly disallowed for offside.