River on course for Copa Libertadores final

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River Plate Gabriel Mercado (L) celebrates after scoring against Guarani during their Libertadores Cup semifinal first leg at the Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti stadium in Buenos Aires, on July 14, 2015

Argentinian giants River Plate beat Guarani of Paraguay 2-0 to put themselves firmly on course for a place in the final of the Copa Libertadores.

Second-half goals from defender Gabriel Mercado and Rodrigo Mora gave the Buenos Aires side a commanding first-leg lead, which leaves Guarani needing to stage a dramatic fightback to advance to the final.

Mercado fired River into the lead on 59 minutes before Uruguayan striker Mora made it 2-0 in the 72nd minute.

Mora's goal was a contender for goal of the tournament, with the 27-year-old advancing into the Guarani penalty area before lifting a sublime chip over goalkeeper Alfredo Aguilar.

Earlier Mercado had broken Guarani's resistance, lashing home from close range after the Paraguayans failed to deal with a deep ball into the penalty area.

The second Copa Libertadores semi-final will see Internacional of Brazil face Mexican side Tigres in Porto Alegre.

Mentioned in the news story

G. Mercado