Bolivia halted a run of five consecutive defeats to get its World Cup qualifying campaign up and running with a 4-2 victory over Venezuela on Friday (AEDT).

Bolivia has not tasted victory since its run to the Copa America quarter-finals in June, conceding nineteen goals and scoring just one in the dismal run that followed its win against Ecuador in the group stage of the tournament.

Julio Cesar Baldivieso, who took over as Bolivia coach in August, will be encouraged after his side claimed maximum points in its third qualifying fixture.

Rodrigo Ramallo lifted an effort over goalkeeper Alain Baroja to set the ball rolling in the 19th minute, before Juan Carlos Arce doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.

Mario Rondon pulled one back with a scrappy goal shortly after the half-hour mark, but Bolivia were too good once again when Ramallo headed in from a right-wing cross to double his personal tally.

The home side looked to be out of sight of victory when a parry fell kindly for Rudy Cardozo who the ball smashed into the back of the net. However, Richard Jose Blanco's tidy effort five minutes short of the hour kept Venezuela's slim hopes alive.

It could have been a nervous finish for Bolivia had Rondon not been flagged for being offside after heading home late in the game to cap a frantic spell during which the visitors also hit the crossbar.

Bolivia held on for its maiden win of the campaign, while Venezuela, who had Luis Manuel Seijas sent off in stoppage time, remains rooted to the bottom of the table without a point to its name.