Cavani at the double as Uruguay go top

Montevideo (AFP) – Edinson Cavani scored twice as Uruguay bounced back to rout Paraguay 4-0 and go top of South America’s 2018 World Cup qualifying competition.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Cavani scored a goal in each half at the Estadio Centenario in a one-sided win for the two-time World Cup winners.

The victory was the response Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez had demanded following the disappointment of Thursday’s 1-0 defeat to Argentina.

Cavani opened the scoring on 18 minutes, brilliantly sweeping home a volley from close range after a determined run down the left flank from Barcelona star Luis Suarez.

Cristian Rodriguez made it 2-0 three minutes before half-time, heading in a corner from the right flank to leave Uruguay in control.

It got better on the stroke of half-time after Suarez once again tormented the Paraguay defence to win a penalty.

Suarez picked himself up and crashed home the spot-kick to make it 3-0.

Nine minutes after half-time, the Cavani-Suarez double act struck again.

Suarez wriggled into space down the left flank and chipped to the far post where Cavani was waiting to head in from point-blank range.

The win puts Uruguay on top of the South American standings with 16 points from eight games, although Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador could all surpass them depending on results in later games on Tuesday.