River Plate gain edge in Copa Libertadores round of 16

Rio de Janeiro July 5 (IANS) Argentine football giants River Plate scored either side of halftime to beat Paraguay s Club Guarani 2-0 in their Copa Libertadores round of 16 first leg clash.

Nacho Scocco opened the scoring for the visitors with a free-kick and Marcelo Larrondo put the result beyond doubt with a late header at the Defensores del Chaco stadium on Tuesday.

The return leg will be played at River Plate s Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on August 8.

The Copa Libertadores is South America s top club competition featuring teams from the South American Football Confederation s (CONMEBOL) 10 member nations.

The winner will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in December.

--IANS
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