River Plate squeezed into the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores after a late Victor Zapata goal earned them a 1-0 win over Libertad on Thursday.
Argentina’s Millionaires became the final team to qualify for the knockout phase, finishing second in Group 8 with nine points in six games.

River, champions in 1986 and 1996, coached by former Argentina captain Daniel Passarella, began the tournament as one of the favorites.

Keeping a close watch on the other Group 8 match, drawn 0-0 by Paulista and El Nacional, River struggled mightily at home to shake-off an opponent playing for nothing. Only an 82nd minute shot by Victor Zapata assured the victory, though they would’ve qualified without it.

On Wednesday, Carlos Tevez’s acrobatic goal helped Corinthians lock down the top spot in group 4, while Mexico’s Tigres had to squeeze into the next phase thanks to the slim 1-0 win over the other Group 4 hopeful Universidad de Chile. Newell’s Old Boys made it through by a hair—Bolivian, The Strongest being overcome by the Argentineans who go through on goal difference.

Sweet 16

Brazil sends a quintet of teams through, as Brazilian quintet Corinthians, Palmeiras, Goias, Internacional and Sao Paulo all advance. Argentina is next with four: Velez Sarsfield, Estudiantes, River Plate and Newell’s Old Boys. Mexico sees two of its initial three teams through, UANL and Guadalajara, Colombian pair Atletico Nacional and debutante, Santa Fe advance, plus LDU (Ecuador), Nacional (Uruguay) and Libertad (Paraguay) round out the field.

The Games

1. Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina) vs Newell's (Argentina)
2. Independiente Santa Fe (Colombia) vs Chivas de Guadalajara (Mexico)
3. Sao Paulo (Brazil) vs. Palmeiras (Brazil)
4. Goiás (Brazil) vs. Estudiantes de La Plata (Argentina)
5. Corinthians (Brazil) vs. River Plate (Argentina)
6. Libertad (Paraguay) vs. Tigres (Mexico)
7. Atlético Nacional (Colombia) vs. LDUQ (Ecuador)
8. Internacional (Brazil) vs. Nacional (Uruguay)

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