Caracas  - Venezuela beat Peru 3-1 at home in Puerto La Cruz to keep up their hopes of playing their first-ever World Cup.

Nicolas Fedor scored Wednesday for Venezuela in the 33rd minute while Peru equalized nine minutes later through an own goal from Venezuelan defender Juan Fuenmayor.

Fedor again pulled the host ahead in the 52nd minute while Ronald Vargas set the definitive 3-1 in the 70th minute.

The result left Venezuela with 21 points from 16 qualifiers with two more rounds to be played in October.

Venezuela, the only country in South America where football is not the most popular sport, still has a chance to qualify for the event in South Africa. (dpa)