ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Two of this biggest clubs in world soccer will meet in the semifinals of the 2017 Florida Cup Playoff on Thursday night when Brazil’s Sao Paulo FC faces Argentina’s River Plate at Al Lang Stadium for a place in the tournament’s final on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.

Tickets: Ticketmaster | Television: Fox Deportes

River Plate news and notes

• River Plate got an early goal to defeat Colombia’s Millonarios FC in the opening round on Sunday afternoon as Lucas Alario’s third-minute goal proved the winner.

• The goal was set up by Sebastian Driussi, who currently leads River with nine goals in 14 appearances this season in Argentina’s Primera Division.

• River currently sits in seventh place in the Primera Division, nine points behind its biggest rival and current league-leader Boca Juniors.

• River goalkeeper Augusto Batalla had a solid performance in goal, denying chances for Millonarios’ Dairon Asprilla and Eliser Quinones to earn the shutout.

Sao Paulo FC news and notes

• Sao Paulo finished 10th in Brazil’s Serie A in the 2016 season, and will be looking to rebound back up the standings in pursuit of its first title since 2008 in the upcoming year.

• The club’s championship in 2008 capped a run of three consecutive titles in Serie A, and the sixth in the team’s history.

• Sao Paulo has shone brightly on the international stage in the past, with the club having claimed the Copa Libertadores on three occasions, the Interncontinental Cup twice, and the FIFA Club World Cup once.

• Victories for both Sao Paulo and Corinthians in the semifinals would set up a Clássico Majestoso in the playoff’s final, with the two clubs having carried a major rivalry since 1930.

Tournament hashtag:

• #FloridaCup2017

Twitter social handles

• River Plate – @CARPoficial

• Sao Paulo FC – @SaoPauloFC