Montevideo  - Uruguay beat Colombia 3-1 Wednesday in Montevideo to preserve their hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Striker Luis Sanchez put the hosts ahead just six minutes into the game, but the Uruguayan win appeared to be at risk when defender Carlos Valdez was sent off for an ugly foul in the 29th minute.

Just after the break, however, striker Teofilo Gutierrez was sent off in Colombia, to put the two sides level on 10 men.

Jackson Martinez equalized in the 63rd minute, but Andres Scotti put Uruguay ahead again in the 76th minute, and Sebastian Eguren set the definitive 3-1 just three minutes before the end of the game.

The win allowed Uruguay to overtake Colombia in the qualifiers table and to stay in the race for a World Cup berth. Uruguay have 21 points from 16 games, while Colombia remain on 20. (dpa)