BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions River Plate moved towards a place in the Copa Libertadores final by beating their Argentine rivals Boca Juniors 2-0 here on Tuesday.
Colombian Santos Borre put the hosts ahead in the seventh minute by converting from the penalty spot after he was hacked down by Carlos Izquierdoz.
Nacho Fernandez doubled the lead shortly after the hour mark by playing a clever one-two with Matias Suarez before rifling in a first-time finish at the near post.
The result at the Monumental means that Boca need at least two goals in the return leg at La Bombonera on October 22 to have any chance of progressing to the final in Santiago, Chile, on November 23.
The River-Boca clash is a repeat of last year's final, which the former won 5-3 over two legs.
Gremio will host their Brazilian nemeses Flamengo in the first leg of the other semifinal in Porto Alegre on Wednesday.
