Not even the 48th-minute dismissal of Dario Veron could derail the home side.

Santa Cruz put them ahead after 26 minutes and Cabanas doubled their advantage shortly after Veron was dismissed for picking up a second yellow card after mis-timing a tackle on Robinho.

Cabanas could have opened the scoring in the 24th minute but his shot cannoned back off the post.

Santa Cruz was on target two minutes later, however, firing home after Cabanas flicked on a corner for the Blackburn striker to convert.

The sending-off of Veron could have changed the game but Paraguay refused to buckle and added to their lead a minute later, Santa Cruz's storming run down the left resulting in a shot which Brazil keeper Julio Cesar could only palm into the path of the onrushing Cabanas.

The 10 men of Paraguay could have added a third but Cabanas' 57th-minute shot struck the bar. Santa Cruz also had a chance from the rebound but failed to hit the target.

Brazil coach Dunga adopted an uncharacteristic aerial approach thereafter, ordering his players to loft the ball forward to Julio Baptista and Adriano but the Paraguay defence stood firm.

The defeat, which comes hot on the heels of a 2-0 friendly loss to Venezuela, led to the Brazil fans present to call for the sacking of Dunga.

Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against arch-rivals Argentina could now determine his future.

Next up for Paraguay is a trip to Bolivia, also on Wednesday.

After the game, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino hailed his team's fighting spirit in holding on despite playing most of the second half a man light.

"We had a tremendous attitude," Martino told Argentinian TV station TyC Sports. "We struck in the most important moments, when we needed it, and we were lucky to score just after Veron was dismissed.

"When he was sent off, I worried. Playing Brazil with 10 men for more than 40 minutes is too much."

Martino hailed the job of Nelson Haedo Valdez as crucial, the Borussia Dortmund forward having played a deeper role than usual to stifle the attacking instincts of Brazil defender Maicon.

"The key was the job Haedo did today," said Martino. "He played in a position he is not used to playing in and he was crucial to helping us by blocking Maicon's runs."

Boca Juniors defender Julio Cesar Caceres added: "Maybe we didn't have possession of the ball in the second half, but we took the three points.

"Fortunately, we scored after the dismissal. Then Brazil had more of the ball than us, but we hurt them at the right moment."

Dunga defended his tactic of fielding three midfielders, pointing out it had brought the team success in the past.

"We played with three midfielders in the Copa America (last year) and we won the championship.

"Sometimes, things do not work out as you want.

"We cannot deny Paraguay deserved to win today. We knew it was going to be difficult for us as they mark and counter-attack very well. We pressured them after the second goal but it was useless."

Brazil's Internazionale full-back Maicon felt the timing of Paraguay's second goal was crucial.

"The team did not play as we expected," he said.

"When their man was sent-off we lost focus and let them score another."