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Copa Libertadores: River Plate stun Cruzeiro to reach semis

Argentinian giants River Plate crushed Cruzeiro 3-0 in Brazil to storm into the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores.

Facing a 1-0 deficit from the first in Buenos Aires, the visitors hit back impressively in Belo Horizonte.

Uruguayan midfielder Carlos Sanchez levelled the tie on aggregate in the 19th minute with a right-footed strike and defender Jonathan Maidana made it 2-0 by heading home a Rodrigo Rojas corner just before half-time.

Colombia striker Teofilo Gutierrez sealed the win six minutes after the break.

Cruzeiro ended the match with 10 men as midfielder Gabriel Xavier was sent off two minutes from time.

River will play Argentinian champions Racing Club or Paraguay's Guarani in the last four, with the latter leading 1-0 from the first leg.

Brazilian side Internacional also overcame a first-leg loss to progress thanks to a 2-0 home win over Independiente Santa Fe.

The Colombian team, 1-0 up from the first game, were stunned by a second-minute header from defender Juan.

Santa Fe goalkeeper Andres Castellanos kept his side in the game with a string of saves, but an own goal by Baldomero Perlaza proved decisive.

Internacional face Mexican side Tigres in the semifinals, which will take place in mid-July after the Copa America in Chile.