Joaquin Botero scored twice as Bolivia inflicted a first World Cup qualifying defeat on leaders Paraguay with a 4-2 victory in La Paz.Botero opened the scoring after 22 minutes before Ronaldo Garcia

doubled the advantage shortly afterwards and although substitute Roque Santa Cruz pulled a goal back in the second half, the Bolivar striker's second of the game effectively sealed the points for Erwin Sanchez's side as they moved them off the bottom of the table.

Bolivia took the lead midway through the first period when Luis Gatti Ribeiro fed Botero and he lifted the ball over Paraguay keeper Aldo Bobadilla.

Garcia extended the lead after 25 minutes with a long-range strike as Bolivia went in at the break two goals to the good.

Santa Cruz replaced Oscar Cardozo just after the hour mark and the Blackburn Rovers striker reduced the deficit with a 66th-minute header but a mistake by Bobadilla allowed Botero to re-establish Bolivia's cushion just three minutes later.

The home side then put the result beyond doubt with 15 minutes to go when Joselito Vaca's drive from a short free-kick found the back of the net before Nelson Haedo Valdez claimed a second for Paraguay in the 82nd minute.

Elsewhere, Colombia moved within three points of the top of the table after a goalless draw against Ecuador in Quito.

A low-key first-half saw little in the way of clear-cut chances with Antonio Valencia coming closest to breaking the deadlock for Ecuador after his effort was deflected onto the bar by Walter Moreno.

Colombia's best opportunity of the second period fell to Necaxa striker Hugo Rodallega but his powerful effort was well saved by keeper Jose Cevallos.

Ecuador almost grabbed a winner in injury time when midfielder Felipe Caicedo beat two defenders and fed Luis Bolanos but he was denied by keeper Agustin Julio.

Bolivia coach Erwin Sanchez was delighted to see his side bounce back from Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Chile. "

"We finally took our chances," he said.

"We didn't play as badly as some people believe against Chile. The difference today was that we converted the opportunities we had at crucial times.

"I liked the way the team played."

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino offered no excuses for his side's defeat.

"We never settled and Bolivia played much better," he said.

"We had very few moments when we could match them."

Meanwhile, Ecuador boss Sixto Vizuete was disappointed with his side's wasteful finishing in the goalless draw at home to Colombia.

"We played well but we wasted at least four clear chances," he said.

"Our intention always was to try and win the game but they wasted time and slowed everything down. You can't play with this attitude.

"We still hope to qualify but we can't drop anymore points at home."

Colombia coach Jorge Luis Pinto, on the other hand, was happy to come away with a point that sees his side lie third in the table.

"It was a good result for us," he said.

"We kept the ball from Ecuador and they suffered because of that.

"We improved in the second half and had some chances but anyway, I'm happy with the result.

"We've picked up two points away from home this week and now we must win at home."

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