Uruguay, Paraguay fight to 1-1 draw in World Cup qualifying

Luis Suarez scored for Uruguay but Paraguay came back to draw 1-1 in World Cup qualifying on Friday.

Matilde Campodonico/AP

MONTEVIDEO, March 22 (Reuters) - Substitute Edgar Benitez struck four minutes from time to snatch a 1-1 draw for struggling Paraguay away to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier on Friday.

Luis Suarez had put the home side ahead four minutes earlier with a fine goal that looked to have breathed new life into 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay's campaign to reach Brazil 2014.

Benitez took advantage of a mistake in central defence by Uruguay captain Diego Lugano to latch onto the loose ball and shoot past Fernando Muslera in the 86th minute.

Suarez shot low inside the far corner from midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro's cross in the 82nd minute as Uruguay looked to end a run of four matches without a victory.

Uruguay have 13 points from 10 matches with Paraguay, quarter-finalists in 2010, still rooted to the bottom of the nine-nation South American group with eight. (Writing by Rex Gowar in Buenos Aires; Editing by Ian Ransom)