RIO DE JANEIRO, March 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Kaka scored in the 73rd minute and Brazil defeated Peru 1-0 in a South American World Cup qualifying match on Sunday.

    The AC Milan midfielder, set up by Ronaldo, shot from inside the penalty box and into the net's left corner at the packed Serra Dourada stadium.

    Brazil remained trailing rival Argentina in the 10-team qualifying group. Brazil has 23 points, two behind Argentina, which beat Bolivia 2-1 on Saturday. Peru was second-to-last with only 13 points.

    Brazil struggled to get past Peru's tight defensive scheme in the midwestern city of Goiania, and its best chances came only in the second half, when substitute striker Robinho increased the team's offensive threat.

    Peru relied only on counterattacks, and rarely threatened the five-time world champions.

    Brazil, which outshot Peru 13-8, hadn't scored in its last two qualifiers -- a 1-0 loss to Ecuador, and a 0-0 draw with Colombia.Kaka's goal was the team's first since Brazil beat Venezuela 5-2 in October.

    In the next round on Wednesday, Brazil will face Uruguay in Montevideo, while Peru will host Ecuador.

    Lineups:

    Brazil: Dida, Cafu, Juan, Lucio, Roberto Carlos, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Juninho Pernambucano (Robinho, 46), Kaka (Renato, 82),Ronaldinho, Ronaldo.

    Peru: Oscar Ibanez, Alberto Rodriguez (Luis Guadalupe, 72), Jorge Soto, Miguel Rebosio, Walter Vilchez, Juan Jayo, Carlos Zegarra,Nolberto Solano (Juan Cominges, 67), Roberto Palacios (Aldo Olcese, 46), Jefferson Farfan, Claudio Pizarro.

    Referee: Carlos Amarilla (Paraguay). Enditem