BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP):

Three South American teams have already earned berths in next year's World Cup in South Africa and three more will have their shot at making the two remaining spots in the final round of qualifying today.

Brazil, Paraguay and Chile have qualified for the World Cup, leaving Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador to decide which team finishes fourth - the last automatic qualifying spot from the region.

The fifth-place finisher earns a play-off with the No. 4 team from North and Central America and the Caribbean for another berth. The opponent will be either Costa Rica or Honduras.

Going into today's matches, Argentina have 25 points, Uruguay 24 and Ecuador 23.

Argentina play at Uruguay and Ecuador play at Chile. In three other matches that have no bearing on World Cup berths, it's Peru vs Bolivia, Brazil vs Venezuela and Paraguay vs Colombia.

Victory on saturday

Argentina are in the best position, thanks to Saturday's 2-1 victory over Peru in which Martin Palermo scored in the third minute of injury time - in a driving rainstorm - to give the underperforming regional powerhouse victory at River Plate's Monumental stadium.

The worst team in South America, Peru have won only two of 17 qualifiers.

Palermo, who entered as a second-half substitute, may have saved Argentina from missing its first World Cup since 1970.

'A Miracle Named Palermo', read the headline in Sunday's La Nacion newspaper.

Palermo celebrated the goal by pulling off his shirt and raising his arms skyward in the downpour.

At the same moment, embattled Argentina coach Diego Maradona dived headfirst into the soaking wet pitch - as if he'd just scored the goal.

"This lets us go to Montevideo a bit more relaxed," said Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.

But Palermo warned against any complacency.

"I have faith. We've struggled right to the end and we still have another step to take," Palermo said. "We can't relax. We have to give our fellow Argentines the happiness of going to the World Cup."

If Argentina beat Uruguay the two-time champions advance to the World Cup. The same for Uruguay. A victory and they go to South Africa.

For Argentina, a draw might be enough to finish fourth and they can even lose and still have a shot at the play-off spot.

Wild card

For Uruguay, a draw would only be enough for a possible finish in fifth place - and a play-off in November. Uruguay might even reach the play-off with a loss.

Ecuador are wildcards.

If Ecuador beat Chile, they will finish at least fifth and earn a play-off. Ecuador could also get the automatic spot. For that to happen, Argentina and Uruguay have to draw and Ecuador have to beat Chile by at least five goals.

The play-off is set for November 14 and 18. The first leg will be in Central America with the second leg in South America.

"We know it will be difficult," Ecuador captain Ivan Hurtado said. "But it's not impossible. We'll be facing a team (Chile) that's already qualified and they won't give us a thing. But it all depends on us."

Added goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga, who was born in Argentina but is a nationalised Ecuadorian: "Everyone has to be united in the match against Chile."