Buenos Aires, Argentina (My Sportsbook) - Martin Palermo scored two minutes into extra time, saving Argentina from an embarrassing result against Peru, as Diego Maradona's side improved their World Cup hopes with a 2-1 win Saturday.

Gonzalo Higuain scored in his debut for Argentina but Hernan Rengifo scored in the 90th for Peru - which has just two wins in qualifying - to set up the late heroics by Palermo at the Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Palermo finished from inside the six-yard box, turning a low cross from the right through a congested area and past Peru goalie Leao Butron in a driving rain.

Argentina moved into fourth in South American qualifying, but can't catch the top three - Brazil, Paraguay and Chile - who have secured World Cup berths and is just one ahead of Uruguay and two ahead of Ecuador.

The top four teams automatically advance to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the fifth-place team plays the fourth-place finisher from CONCACAF.

Argentina visits Uruguay on Wednesday with fourth place on the line. Ecuador, which lost 2-1 to Uruguay on Saturday, visits Chile.

Diego Forlan converted a penalty in the 90th minute to lift Uruguay to the win at Ecuador.

Paraguay climbed level on points with Brazil atop the standings, getting goals from Salvador Cabanas and Oscar Cardozo in a 2-1 victory over Venezuela. Chile secured at least third and a Cup berth with a 4-2 win over Colombia.

Brazil visits Bolivia on Sunday, and qualifying ends Wednesday. In addition to the key matches between Argentina and Uruguay and Ecuador and Chile, Venezuela visits Brazil, Colombia visits Paraguay and Bolivia visits Peru.