Argentina's Hernan Crespo celebrates his goal against Brazil during their World Cup 2006 qualifying soccer match at Stadium Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, June 8, 2005.(AP)

Argentina clinched a berth in next year's World Cup, beating arch rival Brazil 3-1 Wednesday night and retaining the lead in South American qualifying behind two goals from striker Hernan Crespo.

Crespo scored in the third and 39th minutes and Juan Roman Riquelme added another in the 18th in a showdown between the two South American soccer powerhouses, winners of seven World Cup championships.

Roberto Carlos scored Brazil's goal in the 71st.

Argentina, World Cup winners in 1978 and 1986, leads the 10-team qualifying group with 31 points, followed by defending champion Brazil with 27. Ecuador is third with 23, followed by Paraguay with 22 after 15 games.

In the latest chapter in their rivalry for soccer supremacy, Argentina dominated much of the match against a Brazilian squad without star striker Ronaldo, who asked to be excused because of personal reasons.

In the first half, Argentina controlled most of the possession with nifty passing and movement, eliciting chants of "Ole! Ole! from fans at Monumental Stadium.

Crespo opened the scoring early, collecting a pass from Luis Gonzalez to beat goalkeeper Dida with a low shot.

Argentine playmaker Riquelme made it 2-0 in the 17th minute, receiving the ball with his back to the net before turning to beat his defender and launching a left-footed blast from outside the penalty area. The midfielder celebrated by running over to Argentina's bench and hugging teammate Pablo Aimar and later kissing his own jersey.

Argentina kept up the pressure through the first half. In the 39th, with Brazil slow to react defensively, Riquelme played a short pass off a corner kick to Javier Saviola who sent a lofting chip that Crespo headed in for his seventh in qualifying for the 2006 tournament.

But the five-time champions came out in the second half looking toward the goal.

Roberto Carlos sent a bending free kick into the upper corner of the net in the 71st minute, foreshadowing a flurry of Brazilian attacks.

Adriano had two scoring opportunities in the final 15 minutes, sending a header just over the crossbar and hitting the post with a low drive.

After the final whistle, Argentina's players gathered in a circle at midfield, hugging each other and jumping in place.

Argentina's victory evened the series between the teams at 33-33-24. In 2002, Argentina was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup, which Brazil won over Germany.
 
(Agencies)