Peru hold Brazil

Nolberto Solano headed a second half equaliser as Peru held world champions Brazil to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Solano, who has been left on the bench at his English club Newcastle United in recent weeks, nipped in front of the Brazil defence to score at the near post in the 59th minute.

AC Milan's Rivaldo, who has also been deprived of first team football at his club this season, had put Brazil ahead with a 21st-minute penalty, his first international goal since last year's World Cup quarter-final against England.

Brazil had chances to wrap up the game as they ran Peru ragged before halftime. But the home team, coached by Brazilian Paulo Autuori, fought their way back into the game after the break and Brazil were ultimately grateful for a point.

The draw put Brazil second in the South American World Cup qualifying group with seven points from three games, behind leaders Argentina on goal difference. Peru are fifth with four points.

Brazil had difficulty at the back as Peru lofted in high crosses for strikers Claudio Pizarro and Andres Mendoza and were also short of ideas in midfield.

In a sign of their desperation, midfielder Gilberto Silva picked up his first yellow card in an international. He was one of four Brazilians to be booked as they committed 25 fouls.

"We created more chances," said Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. "We could have scored three in the first half. But we needed to keep possession more in midfield."

UNCOMFORTABLE OPENING

Brazil nearly went ahead after 45 seconds when Peru's Juan Jayo gave the ball straight to Ronaldo in midfield and he fed Kaka, whose shot flew wide.

Peru gave the world champions an uncomfortable opening, forcing half a dozen corners, until the 21st minute when Kaka won the ball off Jorge Soto and slipped a pass to Rivaldo who was upended by John Galliquio.

Rivaldo took the penalty himself and placed his shot to Oscar Ibanez's right.

Brazil created a flurry of chances before halftime as they capitalised on sloppy midfield play by their opponents.

Rivaldo crashed a volley against the crossbar from a cross by Cafu while Ibanez had to dive to block shots from Kaka and midfielder Emerson.

Bayern Munich's Claudio Pizarro had the best chance at the other end when he worked an opening and fired just over the crossbar. Peru also had a penalty appeal turned down when Rivaldo collided with Marko Ciurlizza.

Peru surged forward after halftime and Pizarro wasted one chance when he headed straight at Dida at the far post.

But they equalised from another aerial attack in the 59th minute when substitute left back Guillermo Salas crossed from the left and Solano scored with a near-post header.

After a nerve-wracking spell in which Peru threatened to force an historic win, Brazil regained their composure with Ronaldo and Rivaldo both being denied by Ibanez in the closing minutes.