Coates: Celebrates his opening goal

After a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Venezuela last weekend, the Charruas managed to put in a much-improved display and are just one point behind leaders Chile.

Uruguay took the lead early in the game, Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates heading home in the 14th minute.

Fifteen minutes later Maximiliano Pereira bundled home a loose ball after Edinson Cavani's shot was parried, but Peru reduced the deficit six minutes before half-time with an own goal by Diego Godin.

Two minutes after the break Paolo Guerrero profitted from a defensive mistake to level the scores.

Substitute Cristian Rodriguez came off the bench to make it 3-2 with a header and Sebastian Eguren finished things with a counter-attack in injury-time.

Meanwhile in Quito, hosts Ecuador claimed a 1-0 over Colombia and moved to fourth in the standings.

Cristian Benitez netted the match's only goal at the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa with a header eight minutes after half-time.

Ecuador finished the game with 10 men as Christian Noboa was sent off four minutes from time.