River Plate needed to ride their luck at times but Los Millonarios’ fine run of form continued in Guayaquil with a 2-1 win over Emelec that not only maintained a 100% start but put Marcelo Gallardo’s side close to the knockout stages.

Eduar Preciado curled Emelec ahead with barely a minute on the clock and a sluggish River could have been further behind in the opening stages.

Emelec had a second chalked out for a correct, but tight offside decision, before River pulled level through Jorge Moreira.

The match hung in the balance but ten minutes from time Lucas Alario tucked away his 36th River goal in an impressive 66 matches.

The victory was a 156th in the Copa Libertadores, overtaking Peñarol as the club with the most wins in the tournament, but more importantly it puts River in a commanding position in Group Three. A fourth straight win when Emelec visit the Monumental in two weeks will send Gallardo’s side through with two games to spare.