'We will qualify' says Brazil's humiliated coach

In the rarefied air of the Andes, South America's splendid World Cup qualification campaign hit new heights of drama on Wednesday evening. In Quito, 2,800 metres above sea level, Ecuador reached the World Cup finals for the first time. And 800 metres further up, in La Paz, Brazil sank to a humiliating 3-1 defeat against Bolivia.

In the rarefied air of the Andes, South America's splendid World Cup qualification campaign hit new heights of drama on Wednesday evening. In Quito, 2,800 metres above sea level, Ecuador reached the World Cup finals for the first time. And 800 metres further up, in La Paz, Brazil sank to a humiliating 3-1 defeat against Bolivia.

It was Brazil's sixth defeat of the campaign – all of them away from home – and it leaves them in danger of failing to qualify for Japan and South Korea. Before the current campaign started they had only ever been beaten once in World Cup qualifiers – on their previous visit to La Paz eight years ago.

Bolivia's goalkeeper on that occasion, Carlos Trucco, is the new national team coach. He was appointed after Bolivia's long unbeaten home run came to an emphatic end with a 5-1 defeat to Ecuador last month.

Brazil must now beat Venezuela at home in the last round of qualifying on 14 November to go through, probably in fourth place in the group. The fifth-placed team will face the Oceania champions, Australia, in a play-off. If Brazil lose or draw against Venezuela, they could still advance if both Uruguay and Colombia draw or lose. Brazil have 27 points, Uruguay 26 and Colombia 24. If all three teams finish on 27 points, Brazil would probably qualify on goal difference, with Uruguay finishing in fifth place.

The Brazil coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who has been ridiculed by the Brazilian media for his cautious and defensive approach to the game was nevertheless in a confident mood when the team arrived back in Brazil. "I guarantee Brazil will qualify," said the man known as 'Big Phil'. "We will beat Venezuela next week and if we do that we will qualify."

The weary Brazilian squad refused to blame the high altitude of La Paz, but many players said that the ball had moved faster than they were used to. "We were confused by the movement of the ball and that was fundamental in the defeat," said their central defender Lucio.

Scolari had taken a high-risk approach to a crucial game by once more ignoring the veteran striker Romario, the top scorer in the Brazilian championship, even though his two best strikers were injured. Scolari hoped he had gambled successfully when, against the run of play, Edilson put his side into a 25th-minute lead. But Brazil's three centre-backs were continually pierced on the ground and embarrassed in the air. In midfield, Brazil never got to grips with Bolivia's brilliant playmaker Julio Cesar Baldivieso.

A perceptive pass from Baldivieso forced a slip from sweeper Juan which let Lider Paz race through and equalise just before half-time. With 20 minutes left, Baldivieso tricked keeper Marcos with a wonderful free-kick, hit from the touchline, which dropped under the crossbar. He then completed the scoring with a late penalty after a needless foul by Cafu.

While one veteran playmaker was showing his worth in La Paz, so was another in Quito. Ecuador's Alex Aguinaga has been struggling for fitness for months, but, introduced in the second half he came to his country's rescue after Nicolas Olivera had fired Uruguay in front from a controversial penalty late in the first half. Aguinaga's precise cross set up the equaliser, which Ivan Kaviedes headed in 18 minutes from time.

So Ecuador made history and Uruguay's failure to win also took Paraguay through to South Korea and Japan, the first time they have ever qualified for two consecutive World Cups.