Peru have 15 points from the same number of games and are level with eighth-placed Venezuela, who have played a game less, in the 10-nation South American group.

The draw was also of little help to Uruguay, who are fifth in the standings on 18 points, one ahead of Colombia and Chile, who have home matches on Wednesday.

The top four teams qualify for Germany while the fifth plays off against the winners of the Oceania region.

Peru coach Freddy Ternero, whose side lost 5-0 to Colombia on Saturday, astonishingly dropped his two most experienced players, Nolberto Solano and Roberto Palacios, and his team appeared lost without them.

Peru, whose midfield passing is normally their strong point, were reduced to hoisting long balls forward which were easily dealt with by the Uruguay defence.

Uruguay were also incapable of putting passes together and strikers Diego Forlan and Marcelo Zalayeta barely touched the ball.

Peru mustered their only serious chance in the sixth minute, when Juan Cominges released Paolo Guerrero but the Bayern Munich striker shot weakly at Sebastian Viera.

Uruguay barely troubled goalkeeper Juan Flores in the first half but looked more threatening as the game wore on.

Forlan went close with a 73rd minute header and Uruguay substitute Richard Morales headed against the crossbar with two minutes remaining.

Referee Hector Baldassi showed nine yellow cards but overlooked numerous rough tackles and Uruguay defender Diego Lugano was lucky not to be sent off in the 43rd minute for a vicious late tackle on Cominges.

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