River Plate have needed to ride their luck during this year’s Copa Libertadores but after scraping out of their group and benefitting from Boca Juniors’ expulsion they are now on the brink of the final following a decisive victory in their semi-final first leg against Guaraní. After what had been a tense opening hour, which River had shaded but their visitors remained a threat, a defensive lapse allowed River to snatch the crucial opening goal. The Paraguayans had defended resolutely but failed to pick up Gabriel Mercado from a corner and when the ball was headed down the River full-back was on hand to slam the ball past Alfredo Aguilar and into the net. Marcelo Gallardo’s side were now well in control and twelve minutes later, Rodrigo Mora doubled the lead. Dashing clear of the defence the soon to be Al-Nassr striker executed an inch-perfect lob which clipped off the underside of the bar on its way into the goal. Mora’s wonderful piece of individual brilliance makes River the overwhelming favourites for a place in the Libertadores final and although there is a second leg to come, Guaraní have a mountain to overcome.

River Plate  2 – 0  Guaraní