Copa Libertadores Review: Armani the hero for River, Palmeiras progress

Defending champions River needed penalties to overcome Cruzeiro after their round-of-16 tie finished locked at 0-0.

Franco Armani was the hero for River, saving penalties from Henrique and David in the shoot-out in Belo Horizonte.

The goalkeeper stepped up as the Argentine giants claimed a 4-2 shoot-out victory, moving into a last-eight tie against either San Lorenzo or Cerro Porteno.

¡Qué partidazo nos regalaron @Cruzeiro y @RiverPlate! ¡El Millonario pasó por penales! @FutbolSantander pic.twitter.com/JcKhuZ3GTl

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) July 31, 2019

In Sao Paulo, Palmeiras left it until the second half to claim a 4-0 win over Godoy Cruz, progressing 6-2 on aggregate.

The Brazilians needed a Raphael Veiga penalty to break the deadlock before further goals from Miguel Borja, Gustavo Scarpa and Dudu.

Godoy Cruz were reduced to 10 men when 18-year-old midfielder Agustin Manzur was sent off for a dreadful challenge in the 88th minute.

PARTIU, QUARTAS! Em noite de @AllianzParque cheio, o Verdão está #Classificado para a próxima fase da @LibertadoresBR! #AvantiPalestra #AlmaECoração pic.twitter.com/TCY0Nqrpge

— SE Palmeiras (@Palmeiras) July 31, 2019

In Paraguay, Olimpia could only play out a 1-1 draw with LDU Quito, the result enough for the Ecuadorians to advance 4-2 on aggregate.