SOCCER

BRAZIL DOWNS PARAGUAY IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Defending champion Brazil moved within a point of first place in South American World Cup qualifying, beating Paraguay 4-1 yesterday as Ronaldinho converted a pair of penalty kicks. Ronaldinho scored in the 32nd minute after Paraguay was called for a hand ball, then made it 2-0 in the 42nd after Robinho was fouled in the penalty area. Brazil, which dropped three-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldo from its roster, also got goals from Ze Roberto in the 70th minute and Robinho in the 82nd.

Argentina (8-2-4), which lost 2-0 Saturday at Ecuador, leads South American qualifying with 28 points, followed by Brazil (7-1-6) with 27, Ecuador (7-5-2) with 23, Paraguay (5-5-4) with 19, and Colombia, Uruguay, and Chile (all 4-5-5) with 17 each. The top four nations qualify, and the fifth-place team advances to a home-and-home playoff against Australia or the Solomon Islands. Argentina hosts Brazil on Wednesday and would clinch a berth with a victory.

In Africa, a pair of 2002 World Cup teams struggled. Nigeria was held to a 1-1 tie at Rwanda, and Senegal played a 0-0 tie at Republic of Congo. With three games remaining, Nigeria and Angola each have 14 points in Group Four. Senegal (4-1-2) is second in Group One, one point behind Togo (5-1-1),which beat visiting Zambia 4-1.

CYCLING

ARMSTRONG FIFTH IN DAUPHINE LIBERE PROLOGUE

Lance Armstrong finished fifth yesterday in the prologue of the Dauphine Libere, a French tuneup race leading to his bid next month for a seventh straight Tour de France title. George Hincapie, an American cyclist who rides for Armstrong’s Discovery Channel team, won the stage in 9 minutes, 55 seconds. Americans took four of the top five spots in the 4.9-mile sprint, with Levi Leipheimer second, followed by Andrey Kashechkin of Kazakhstan, Floyd Landis, and Armstrong.

Armstrong might have had a faster time, but his foot slipped from the pedal straps during a 1.2-mile climb. The 33-year-old Texan, second in last year’s prologue at the Tour de France, said that he feels he can no longer match quicker riders over limited distances.

Today’s first stage is a mostly flat 139-mile route from Aix-les-Bains to Givors. Later in the week, there will be testing mountain ascents, including the revered Mont Ventoux on Thursday. Climbing is traditionally one of Armstrong’s strong points. His rivals most likely will have a good indication of his form after Mont Ventoux.

GOLF

SORENSTAM EMERGES WITH WIN AT SHOPRITE CLASSIC

With a vintage performance and a rousing finish, Annika Sorenstam eagled the last hole for a final round 64 yesterday to win the ShopRite LPGA Classic by four strokes.

After fending off game challenges by Juli Inkster and Laura Davies, Sorenstam rolled in a 50-foot putt for eagle at the 18th to put the finishing touches on a 17-under 196 total. It was Sorenstam’s 61st LPGA victory and fifth in seven events of this season.

Sorenstam trailed Inkster after one round, and the two shared the lead after 36 holes. The Swede overtook Inkster when it counted most, rallying from an unremarkable start with near-flawless iron play and precise putting to win the ShopRite Classic for the third time. Inkster closed with a 68 and was 13 under. Catriona Matthew (64) and Laura Davies (68) were five strokes back at 12 under.

– Associated Press