Three sent off as Chile beat Paraguay

SANTIAGO, June 29 (Reuters) - Three players were sent off as Chile beat Paraguay 3-1 in an unsavoury World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

Strikers Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano both scored as Chile picked up their first victory of the South American World Cup qualifiers.

But the match will be more remembered for the theatricals from the Chileans, whose third goal came from a penalty awarded for what was quite clearly a dive by midfielder Moises Villaroel, and the vicious tackling from both sides.

Chile took an 18th-minute lead from a corner when Paraguay defender Denis Caniza deflected a Villaroel header into his own goal, the ball slipping through the despairing arms of Chilavert.

Shortly before, Chilavert had nearly put Paraguay ahead with one of his trademark free kicks but his dipping 25-metre effort, heading for the top corner, was superbly saved by his opposite number Nelson Tapia.

Chile scored again in the 38th minute when Salas, quick to react after Ronaldo Fuentes' header hit him on the back, scored from close range after another corner.

Paraguay's hopes of a fightback were wrecked early in the second half when striker Hugo Brizuela, scorer of two goals in this month's 3-1 win over Ecuador, was sent off for allegedly elbowing Villaroel.

Televison replays showed that Brizuela made only the faintest of contacts, yet Villaroel threw himself over backwards and then lay on the ground in apparent agony. He was stretchered off but was back on his feet within 30 seconds.

Paraguay reduced in the 71st minute when Jose Cardozo scored four minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Two minutes later, Salas and Paraguay's Delio Toledo were sent off for fighting after a savage kicking match on the touchline.

Chile sewed the game up in the 78th minute when Villaroel dribbled into the penalty area and then fell over. A penalty was awarded and veteran Zamorano confidently fired home.

Chile moved onto four points from four games while Paraguay stayed on six.