ORLANDO, Fla. – River Plate struck early to take a 1-0 victory against Millonarios FC in the opening round of the 2017 Florida Cup Playoff as Lucas Alario had the only goal at Bright House Network Stadium on Sunday afternoon. River will now play Brazil’s Sao Paulo FC in the semifinals on Thursday at Al Lang Stadium.

River took little time in taking the lead as Alario gave his side then lead in the third minute. A slipped pass by Sebastian Driussi played Alario in 25 yards from goal, and his low finish beat the goalkeeper and clipped off the right post and into the net.

Millonarios almost replied immediately with a long-range strike by Cristian Duque that flashed wide of the right post, and the Colombian side had another chance go close when Eliser Quinones had his free kick turned aside by River goalkeeper Augusto Batalla in the 15th minute, and Dairon Asprilla shot over shortly after from inside the penalty area.

River came back into the game midway through the half, and Pity Martinez made an excellent run and low cross from the left side of the penalty area that eluded his two teammates looking to finish in the 24th minute. Jorge Moreira and Driussi then combined a few minutes later to set up a chance for Martinez, but his shot was off target.

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River’s Batalla had to come up with a big save just before the halftime break when a clever move initiated and completed by Cristian Arango for Millonarios set up a chance for Asprilla on the right side of the penalty area, with the Portland Timbers loanee’s low shot being parried behind for a corner.

The second half opened more evenly as Millonarios pushed for an equalizer, and multiple substitutions around the hour-mark for River saw the side look to regain its rhythm. River almost found a second in the 68th minute when a good pass by Ivan Alonso found Tomas Andrade in the right side of the penalty area, but his return to Alonso was cut out.

River again went close to adding to its lead with nine minutes to go when it was awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal, but Rodrigo Mora’s effort was palmed over the crossbar by Millonarios goalkeeper Ramiro Sanchez. Andrade threatened with three minutes remaining too, only for Sanchez to again be equal to the task, but River wouldn’t need an insurance goal as Alario’s tally held up as the winner.