Vzla: Goleada!

A perennial pushover no longer has the view from the bottom in World Cup South American zone qualifying rounds.

Venezuela trails zone leader Argentina by two points after a convincing 3-0 victory against host Uruguay on Wednesday. Venezuela is tied with five-time World Cup champion Brazil for third place in the region, with two-thirds of the schedule remaining.

Still, Venezuela can savor its status.

Rarely has the term ''goleada'' -- the Latin American description of a rout -- been used for a Venezuela victory, such as the accomplishment in Montevideos Centenario Stadium.

''I respect Uruguay for its history, tradition and names, but we no longer see anyone as our superior,'' Paez told Caracas El Universal newspaper.