Nolberto Solano and Claudio Pizarro put the visitors 2-0 up early and Uruguay were reduced to 10 men when defender Gonzalo Sorondo was sent off in the 32nd minute.

Jefferson Farfan added Peru's third goal in the second half before substitute Diego Forlan netted a consolation for the home team. The Sky Blues were spared further humiliation as Peru missed several scoring chances.

Uruguay were also beaten 3-0 at home by Venezuela in March, an embarrassing defeat which prompted the sacking of coach Juan Ramon Carrasco.

His replacement Jorge Fossati brought back a number of players banished under Carrasco, including striker Dario Silva, but suffered a similar fate on his debut on Tuesday.

Sixth-placed Peru, attempting to reach their first World Cup finals since 1982, have eight points from six games, one more than Uruguay.

SEVERAL SAVES

Uruguay made a good start, forcing several saves from Oscar Ibanez, but Solano's 12th-minute free kick changed the game.

The Aston Villa player curled the ball from the right of the penalty area over the wall and into the far corner of the net.

Seven minutes later, Roberto Palacios broke down the right and crossed for Bayern Munich striker Pizarro to flick in his first goal of the competition.

Peru wasted an excellent breakaway before Sorondo was dismissed for hacking down Palacios, treading on him and then spitting at him when he got up.

The visitors continued to spurn opportunities before going further ahead when Farfan put away John Galliquio's defence-splitting pass in the 62nd minute.

Forlan headed in a free kick with 17 minutes to go as Uruguay briefly threatened a fightback.

Peru, though, fluffed more chances with Andres Mendoza sending one shot wide from six metres.