Veteran defender Carlos Gamarra headed a second-half goal to give Paraguay a hard-fought win 1-0 over Venezuela in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Gamarra, who took part as an over-age player at the Olympic Games where Paraguay finished runners-up to win the nation's first-ever medal in any sport, outfoxed the Venezuela defence in the 53rd minute.

The 33-year-old, who played in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, got free from his marker and rose unmarked to meet Diego Gavilan's corner with a powerful header that Venezuela goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci could only push it into the roof of the net.

Paraguay have 14 points from eight games in the 10-nation South American qualifying group while Venezuela, who have lost momentum after winning three games in a row earlier in the tournament, are stuck on ten.

The Venezuelans have failed to score in their last three qualifiers which followed their sensational 3-0 win away to Uruguay in March.

Paraguay made a lively start and midfielder Carlos Paredes shaved the post with a fierce shot from the edge of the area after Venezuela lost possession.

Jose Cardozo missed another good chance at the far post after Gamarra had flicked on at a corner while Angelucci made a good save to stop Nelson Cuevas's powerful close-range drive.

Defender Jose Manuel Rey had Venezuela's best first half effort with a fierce free kick which Justo Villar turned around his post.

Rey was also close to an equaliser, catching Villar off guard with a looping 45-metre free kick which the goalkeeper scrambled to tip over his crossbar.

Venezuela made a late bid to save the game but sloppy play in the last third of the pitch undermined their efforts.

Gamarra's evening was spoiled when he limped off injured with six minutes left. He watched the rest of the match with an ice pack wrapped around his right knee.