San Jose - Uruguay defeated Costa Rica 1-0 on Saturday night, in the first playoff match for a World Cup 2010 berth.

Diego Lugano scored the lone goal of the match at 22 minutes.

Despite the home-field advantage, Costa Rica rarely managed to present any offensive threat to the goal tended by Fernando Muslera.

But the Uruguayans pressured Navas at the other end early in the match, with Pereyra nearly scoring four minutes in.

Things worsened for the hometown Ticos when they lost defensive star Gilberto Martinez at the 20-minute mark. Two minutes later, Lugano scored what would be the winning goal.

The South Americans' defense held strong throughout the match. Uruguay takes a strong advantage back home to Montevideo, for the second match against the Costa Ricans on Wednesday. (dpa)