ASUNCION, Paraguay — Paraguay survived being down a man and beat Brazil 2-0 today in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, propelling the small South American country to the top of the standings.

The Paraguayans stuck to their strategy of ceaselessly attacking the Brazilians' goal. That strategy bore fruit in the 25th minute when Roque Santa Cruz scored off a corner kick lobbed into the area by Edgar Barreto. Salvador Cabanas passed the ball lightly with his heel to Santa Cruz, who slammed the ball in for Paraguay's first.

Cabanas had his own score in the 48th minute when Santa Cruz was stopped following a sprint from midfield. Cabanas capitalized on the rebound.

That goal came a minute after Dario Veron was ejected with two yellow cards.

With 11 goals scored and only one against, Paraguay leads the standings with 13 points, followed by Argentina and Colombia with nine. Brazil has eight.

Brazil was without injured star Kaka, and Robinho, Luiz Fabiano and Adriano couldn't penetrate Paraguay's solid defensive line.

Paraguay will play Bolivia on Wednesday, and Brazil will face the continent's other soccer titan, Argentina.