Montevideo - Brazil thrashed Uruguay 4-0 to speed up in their efforts to gain a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"The key to the win was to play football in a functional way," said Brazilian coach Carlos Dunga.

In the first half of this game in the 13th round of the South American World Cup qualifiers, Uruguay appeared to have many chances but failed to convert in the face of a solid Brazilian defence.

Brazil, in turn, made the most of an inexplicable mistake from rival keeper Sebastian Viera just 12 minutes into the game. Dani Alves tried a very long-distance shot, the ball bounced in front of Viera and he failed to manage what seemed like a very easy save.

In the 36th minute, Juan built on a cross from the right from Elano to head the ball and make things 2-0.

In the second half, Elano set up Luis Fabiano, and the Sevilla striker's strong right-foot shot went into the top near corner of the goal in the 51st minute.

From then on, Brazil had an easy game, although Luis Fabiano was sent off in the 64th minute for a second bookable offence, after simulating a foul in the box.

In the 73rd minute, Kaka was awarded a penalty after being brought down in the box, and converted to make the score 4-0.

In the 85th minute, Uruguay's Maxi Pereira was sent off for a violent foul on Brazilian Ramirez.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez admitted that Brazil played better, but noted that the result was too wide.

"Brazil were much better than us in the places where matches are won," he said.

"They deserved the win," he said.

However, he added that the fact that Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar played a great game showed Uruguay played well too.

"We insisted until the end, though perhaps the wrong way," Tabarez stressed.

For Dunga, "Brazil won because they played football and always tried to do the best on the pitch," in the face of at times rough play from Uruguay.

This was the first time Brazil won a game in Montevideo in 33 years. They now join Paraguay at the top of the South American qualifiers with 24 points from 13 games, although Paraguay had a game in hand, later Saturday against Chile.

Argentina were hosting Colombia on Saturday, and Venezuela were visiting Bolivia at high altitude in La Paz. (dpa)