Uruguay took a big step towards reaching the 2010 World Cup finals on Saturday with a 1-0 win away to Costa Rica in the first leg of their qualifying playoff.
A 22nd-minute goal from defender Diego Lugano secured the win for Uruguay, who finished fifth in South American qualifying and had to play-off with Costa Rica from the CONCACAF region.
Costa Rica's task of turning the game around was made harder after Randall Azofeifa was sent off in the 53rd minute for a second yellow card.
The result gives two-times World Cup winners Uruguay a strong advantage going into Wednesday's second leg in Montevideo.
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