Ecuador defeat Venezuela

Ayovi and Christian Benitez scored to give Ecuador a 2-0 win over Venezuela on Friday night.

Ayovi scored in the 14th minute and Benitez added another 13 minutes later.

Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda played an attacking game, taking advantage of the thin air in Quito, which is 2,850 metres (9,350 feet) above sea level.

Venezuela finished fourth in this year’s Copa America, the surprise team of the continental championship.

Ecuador play a friendly on Tuesday against the United States, and Venezuel faces Argentina the same day in another World Cup qualifier.

Peru beat Paraguay 2-0

Paolo Guerrero scored both goals as Peru beat Paraguay 2-0 on Friday night.

Guerrero, who plays for Hamburg in Germany, scored in the 46th and 72nd minutes.

Peru was one of the surprises three months ago in the continental championship, the Copa America, finishing in third place after long being considered one of the lesser teams in South American football.

Peru plays at Chile on Tuesday in the next round of qualifying and Paraguay is home against Copa America champion Uruguay.