SAO PAULO, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Jose Manuel Lopez scored two late goals as Brazil's Palmeiras reached the Copa Libertadores semifinals on Wednesday with a 3-1 home win over Argentine side River Plate.
River Plate, which lost last week's first leg 2-1 in Buenos Aires, leveled the tie in the ninth minute through Maximiliano Salas' bullet header from Juan Fernando Quintero's set piece.
Former Barcelona forward Vitor Roque equalized just after halftime by tapping home from close range after his initial header was palmed away by goalkeeper Franco Armani.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 87th minute when Marcos Acuna was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Facundo Torres in the penalty area.
Lopez converted the resultant spot-kick and added a second goal with a long-range effort in the 94th minute after combining with Raphael Veiga.
"This team has shown for years that it never gives up," Lopez said after the match. "We knew it was going to be a tough match because of what River Plate is and represents. We had a spectacular first half in Argentina and we suffered an early goal tonight due to a lapse in concentration. But we showed what we're made of by fighting back."
Palmeiras is seeking a fourth Copa Libertadores title and third in the past six seasons. Abel Ferreira's team will meet the winner of the quarterfinal tie between Sao Paulo and LDU Quito in the semifinals next month. ■
