River Plate advance to Copa Libertadores knockout phase
Xinhua,May 04, 2018 Adjust font size:
BOGOTA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Three-time champions River Plate earned a berth in the Copa Libertadores round of 16 following a 1-0 victory over Santa Fe here on Thursday.
The Argentine side grabbed the lead thanks to a Lucas Pratto strike midway through the first half at the Campin stadium in Colombia's capital Bogota.
River, who have struggled in Argentina's top division this season, are top of Group D with three wins and two losses from five matches.
They will progress to the next round of South America's top club tournament regardless of the result in their last group match against Flamengo in Buenos Aires on May 23.
Brazil's Palmeiras also guaranteed themselves a place in the next phase with a 3-1 victory over Alianza Lima in the Peruvian capital.
Willian, Hyoran and Miguel Borja netted for the visitors before Rinaldo Cruzado pulled a late goal back for Alianza.
In other matches on Thursday, Paraguay's Libertad beat the Strongest 3-1 in Bolivia and Racing Club of Argentina overcame Universidad de Chile 1-0 at home. Enditem