2002 World Cup - Chile 3 Paraguay 1

A violent match in Santiago saw three players sent off as Chile beat Paraguay 3-1 to score their first win of the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Both sides were guilty of violent tackling throughout the match which threatened to spill out of control at times. The aggression on show as also stoked up by Chile players diving several times to get free kicks and win a penalty.

Paraguay started poorly and conceded an 18th minute own goal when defender Dennis Caniza slipped a deflection onto a header by Moises Villaroel that carried the ball away from Jose Luis Chilavert who had the effort covered.

Chilavert had made up for an edgy start from his team by nearly scoring from a free kick in the 15th minute. His 25 metre dipping strike forced Nelson Tapia to produce a great diving save high at the top corner.

Marcelo Salas increased Chile's lead when he turned quickly on a loose ball that fell behind him after confusion at a corner kick.

Paraguay were reduced to ten men Hugo Brizuela was sent off in the 49th minute for touching Villaroel with his arm in a decision that owed much to the Chile player's acting out pain as he writhed on the pitch in a blatant piece of cheating.

After substitute Jose Cardoza had reduced the deficit with a low drive Paraguay's Delio Toledo and Salas had a kicking duel on the touch line that saw both players sent off.

Villaroel won a 78th minute penalty with a dive that Ivan Zamorano converted to end the incidents of this grim encounter.