Dario Rodriguez headed a first-half goal to give Uruguay a 1-0 win over Australia in their World Cup playoff first leg.
In a tense and passionate match, Uruguay missed numerous chances to add to their score, with visiting goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer making a superb second-half stop from Richard Morales, and also had a penalty appeal turned down.
Australia were close to a precious away goal as Mark Viduka and Jason Culina came within a whisker of a second-half equaliser ahead of the second leg in Sydney on Wednesday.
Both coaches said their teams deserved a better result.
"We could have won by more," said Uruguay's Jorge Fossati. "We'll be back with the qualification. I want all the Uruguayans to believe in it in spite of everything."
Australia's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink said:"I think I have mixed feelings because we controlled the first half rather completely. We should have had in the first half at least one goal. That was a pity."
Australia's fears of a hostile reception were realised as the 60,000 crowd greeted their appearance on the field with a deafening chorus of jeers and booed their national anthem.
The hosts, meanwhile, got the traditional reception of ticker-tape and firecrackers to help their bid to reach the World Cup finals in Germany next year.
